Following Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact Wrestling, here’s the final card for Sunday’s Hardcore Justice pay-per-view:

TNA World Heavyweight Title Match
Sting (c) vs. Kurt Angle

TNA Tag Team Title Match
Ber Money (c) vs. Mexican America

TNA X Division Title Match
Brian Kendrick (c) vs. Austin Aries vs. Alex Shelley

TNA Knockouts Title Match
Mickie James (c) vs. Winte

Bound For Glory Series Match
Crimson vs. Rob Van Dam

Bound For Glory Series Match
The Pope vs. Brother Devon

AJ Styles, Kazarian and Daniels vs. Gunner, Abyss and Scott Steiner

Mr. Anderson vs. Bully Ray

— TNA Wrestling has announced that Sting and Kurt Angle will sign the contract for their World Heavyweight Champion Match at Hardcore Justice on this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling. Plus, three Bound For Glory Series matches are scheduled: Samoa Joe vs. “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero; AJ Styles vs. Devon; Scott Steiner and Gunner vs. Rob Van Dam and Crimson.

— MVP, who now competes overseas for New Japan Pro Wrestling after parting ways with World Wrestling Entertainment in December, was asked on Twitter about joining TNA Wrestling should he get homesick.

Taking an apparent shot at the Nashville based organization, he responded, “I could never be THAT homesick!”

— TNA Wrestling has announced live events for Friday, September 23 in Springfield, Illinois and Saturday, September 24 in Hammond, Indiana. Click here for full details.

Sting regained the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Mr. Anderson last night on Impact Wrestling, after Fortune and Kurt Angle, disguised as his clown minions, attacked each member of Immortal, preventing them from interfering in the match.

Sting lost the belt last month at Slammiversary IX, following outside interference from Eric Bischoff. He invoked his rematch clause on last night’s show.

TNA Wrestling has announced that Sting will defend his newly won title against Kurt Angle next month at Hardcore Justice, which takes place August 7. Angle became the No. 1 contender to the strap last month at Slammiversary after defeating Jeff Jarrett.

At four TNA World Heavyweight Championship reigns, Sting now shares the record for most reigns with Kurt Angle.

Impact began with Sting coming to the ring for a promo. He talks about how insane he is. He calls out Bischoff and Hogan to come out. Kurt Angle comes out in his clown attire from last week and enters the ring. Angle says that he means no disrespect and says that it was him who saved Sting last week because it was the right thing to do. At Hardcore Justice their paths will cross again. Sting says he respects Angle. Angle says he wants to beat Sting since he never has. It has to be Angle because he has no other choice. Sting says they have a dilemma.

Immortal’s music plays and out comes Ken Anderson and Bully Ray. Ray says it is Sting and Angle versus Anderson and Ray tonight.

In a Bound for Glory Series Match, Rob Van Dam defeated Scott Steiner with a rollup.

Mickie James came out for a promo and called out Velvet Sky. Mickie said she has watched Velvet get blamed for other wrestler’s problems. Mickie knows how it gets and its not good. Mickie wants to give Velvet her first knockouts championship shot tonight because Velvet has earned it and says that they are going to tear the roof off the Impact Zone.

Angelina Love and Winter come out. Angelina says she and Winter are competitors and that Mickie and Velvet just need to go get a hotel room. Angelina says that no matter who wins tonight it won’t be long before the title is back around her waist. Winter insults both Mickie and Velvet for a bit before they go to the back.

Backstage Sarita and Rosita are brawling with Tara and Miss Tessmacher. Madison Rayne brawls with Tara as well until referees have to break it up.

Miss Tessmacher and Tara defeat Rosita and Sarita to become the new Knockouts Tag Champions. Tara and Tessmacher jumped Rosita and Sarita when they came out. Sarita was wrestling this match wearing a mask due to her recent facial injury. Tara had Sarita in the Widow’s Peak and Madison ran out while the ref was distracted and Madison tackled Tara. Tara and Miss Tessmacher were able to hit stereo finishers (Stratusfaction by Tessmacher and fireman’s carry into side slam by Tara) for the three count.

In a Bound for Glory Series Match, Matt Morgan defeats AJ Styles, Gunner, and Samoa Joe to earn 10 points.

They show an Eric Young video package with him going into a gas station looking for an opponent to defend his TV title against. He finds D’Lo Brown. D’Lo tells Eric this is a road Eric doesn’t want to go down. Eric rolls up D’Lo and counts the 3 himself and runs from D’Lo. Young gets away and D’Lo says “he didn’t even recognize me.”

In an X Division title match, Brian Kendrick defeated Alex Shelley Shelley hit sliced bread on Kendrick on the apron. When Shelley put Kendrick back in the ring, Aries ran out and hit Shelley with the title and threw him back in the ring for the fall.

Mexican America comes out for a promo. Anarquia comes out and calls what Tara and Tessmacher did earlier garbage. He says they are pissed off and when they are pissed off they kick ass. They call out Beer Money who enter the building and come face to face with Mexican America. James Storm tells them to do everyone a favor and leave the ring, the company, and go cut grass. Storm threatens to kick Anarquia’s teeth down his throat. Since they have been competing in the Bound for Glory Series, they came out to reintroduce themselves to everyone.

Storm says they are the best, being four time tag team champions. Storm says they aren’t going to just beat them, they’re going to kick their asses for the people here, the people watching, and all the Mexcians that came before Mexican America that they are disgracing. At Hardcore Justice, Beer Money will beat them to retain the tag titles. Storm advises them to mark the day after the pay per view on their calendars because Mexican America is going to wake up with their Green Cards stuck straight up their asses. Roode tells then Sorry About your damn luck.

The Knockouts Title Match between Velvet Sky and Mickie James never got to happen. Angelina Love and Winter attacked Mickie as she entered. Velvet tried to make the save. ODB and Jackie came out and attacked Velvet as Angelina and Winter bailed. Traci Brooks then came out for the save. Referees and security had to separate Traci, Mickie, and Velvet from Jackie and ODB. Cops came out and put handcuffs on Jackie and ODB and took them out of the Impact Zone.

TNA World Champion Sting and Kurt Angle defeated Ken Anderson and Bully Ray when Angle pinned Anderson after an Angle Slam. Ray tried to stop Anderson from doing his usual intro because Ray wants to get in the ring and take care of business. Anderson did it anyway. At one point during the match Bischoff came out and said something on commentary.

After the match, Angle and Sting shook hands and Angle pulled Sting in close before leaving the ring.

source: PWInsider.com

— Kurt Angle announced on his Twitter account that he has landed two movies roles: “Death from Above” and “Madman Marz.”

— California based women’s wrestler Christina Von Eerie is scheduled for a tryout match at this week’s set of TNA iMPACT! tapings. She has worked in Mexico for the past year with AAA.

— TNA Wrestling will release HardCORE Justice on DVD on Nov. 2. It will feature a post-show Q&A session with Tommy Dreamer and Mick Foley as well as other extras, according to PWInsider.com.

— TNA Wrestling officials have discussed using some of the HardCORE Justice talent going forward, though not many. A few performers are on hand for this week’s television tapings.

— Contrary to popular belief, World Wrestling Entertainment’s legal department made no threats regarding TNA Wrestling’s HardCORE Justice pay-per-view event. The talent name changes was TNA being proactive to avoid potential legal problems as opposed to reactive.

— There were no major injuries suffered last night at HardCORE Justice, though C.W. Anderson had a minor hamstring injury.

source: f4wonline.com

— The word amongst the locker room is that the following former ECW performers were among those not contacted to appear at last night’s HardCORE Justice pay-per-view event: Dawn Marie, Jim “Sinister Minister” Mitchell, referee Jim Molineaux, manager Jason Knight, and ring announcer Bob Artese.

— The role of Raven’s lackey Lupus was played by one of the Team 3D training center students. It was not the individual who portrayed the original character in ECW. Additionally, he is scheduled to work a match at tonight’s television taping, likely against Jesse Neal.

— Samoa Joe is not backstage at tonight’s iMPACT! television taping. He is currently serving a suspension due to an incident that took place at the July 13 television taping.

Conspicuous by his absence last night at HardCORE Justice was The Blue Meanie. Though he appeared in a pre-taped video run during the pay-per-view broadcast, he was unable to appear at the show itself. Ultimately, an imposter named The Blue Tilly was used in his place for the reunion of the Blue World Order.

The former ECW star posted the following message on his Facebook account explaining why he missed HardCORE Justice:

“Why I couldn’t be @ TNA “Hardcore Justice”

Well, now that my promo finally aired on TNA “Hardcore Justice”l I can FINALLY tell you that YES I was indeed invited to TNA’s “Hardcore Justice” PPV by Tommy Dreamer as I mentioned in my video promo. BUT, I had a personal responsibility in Philly today to take care of prior to going on my vacation on Monday the 9th. Plus with how my vacation was planned it would have cost a pretty penny to rearrange reservations on such short notice that would have cost me a LOT of money. I tried many solutions but was stuck in a jam (mmmm Jam). Hence, I couldn’t partake in the event. It absolutely GUTTED me (and that’s a lot of gut!) when I heard the initial reports of a possible “family reunion” and that wasn’t going to be able to attend. I tried a couple solutions but to no avail. I was absolutely thrilled when I was asked to do a promo via videotape so I could STILL be involved in this event.

It means the world to me to be remembered. To the fans. THANK YOU! I would have said something sooner but I was asked to not say whether I was asked or not asked as to keep some sort of mystery around the event. I like to keep the last remaining parts (if there are any) of kayfabe alive lol. Not that the digital age made it any easier to keep hush hush. With everyone asking and me I had to no sell your questions. Sorry. I appreciate all the people asking whether I was going to attend. 98.5% of you were genuine and 1.5% came off more like they were more interested in breaking it as “newz” on there facebook’s, twitters, myspaces, blogs or whatever. It WASN’T a “no show” as some sites went and reported. A no show actually involves TNA giving me a plane ticket, expecting me to be there in person and me then me intentionally not showing up.

Hopefully if this event is successful enough maybe there could be more down the line? I dunno. It’s all up to you who WANT it and DEMAND it. If you want me “seek revenge” on the guy doing a parody of me. DEMAND IT. It is a beautiful thing the the “little promotion that could” is still yearned for all these years later. Again, it made me feel good to be remembered. I love all of you the fans, I love all the guys I spent all those years with and as SLIGHTLY jaded I may be from time to time. I truly DO love wrestling. Most of thanks to TNA and Dixie Carter for having the “family reunion” tonight.

*MEANIE DANCE*
Brian aka The Blue Meanie aka Da’ Blue Guy etc. etc. etc.

source: PWInsider.com

— It was reported last week that TNA Knockout Sarita, who competes as Dark Angel in Mexico, was nixed from Sunday’s CMLL card due to an arm injury. In an update on the situation, SuperLuchas.net is reporting that she suffered a torn triceps in her left arm during a recent TNA Wrestling card. The multi-time wrestling champion is currently recovering in her native Canada and expected to be kept out of action through the end of August.

The injury may have occurred during her recent TV bout with Angelina Love at the July 26 iMPACT! taping as it was the last time she competed in a match. Furthermore, she was left off the following night’s television taping.

— Former ECW performer Tracy Smothers, 47, is expected to appear at tonight’s HardCORE Justice pay-per-view event alongside the Full Blooded Italians (F.B.I) — Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke and Sal E. Graziano.

— Mike Tenay and Taz are expected to call HardCORE Justice.

— There has been much grumbling amongst the TNA Wrestling crew in regards to tonight’s HardCORE Justice pay-per-view.

Many mid and under-card performers are on per-appearance deals, meaning they only get paid when they work. Due to tonight’s ECW alumnus-only event, a number of stars are missing out on a pay day. While the monetary losses are not as substantial in TNA Wrestling as they would be for WWE performers who receive pay-per-view bonus money, it is a big issue nonetheless among those who receive modest pay.

— The official MySpace page of Kid Kash indicates the former ECW star will be on hand for tonight’s HardCORE Justice pay-per-view.

The page notes: “TNA “Hardcore Justice” tonight!!! Dont forget to tune in!!!”

— Jay Lethal has relaunched his Twitter page. It is located at twitter.com/TheLethalJay.

— It has been confirmed that Bill Alfonso and former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Justin Credible will be appearing at tonight’s HardCORE Justice pay-per-view.

— TNA iMPACT! and TNA ReACTION are not listed on the Spike TV schedule on Thursday, Sept. 9. The network is running an episode of “Gangland” that night. To view the schedule, visit Spike.com. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

— Among those in attendance at TNA Wrestling’s HardCORE Justice VIP weekend Fan Xperience at the NASCAR Sports Grille in Orlando, Florida yesterday were: Tommy Dreamer, Mick Foley, Team 3D, Rhino, Stevie Richards, Simon Diamond, Axl Rotten, Johnny Swinger, 2 Cold Scorpio, Brother Runt, CW Anderson, Sal E. Graziano, The Sandman, Nova, Joel Gertner, Terry Taylor, Dixie Carter, Stephen DeAngelis, So Cal Val, Mike Posey, Justin Credible and Bill Alfonso.

Tomorrow night’s TNA HardCORE Justice pay-per-view main event between Rob Van Dam and Jerry Lynn will not take place as advertised. Multiple sources indicate Lynn has been forced to pull out of the event due to a back injury.

Many felt the match was in jeopardy earlier this week because Lynn pulled out of a scheduled indy match taking place this weekend. It is believed that company officials found out about the cancellation within the past 24 hours.

TNA Wrestling has yet to confirm the cancellation, so a new main event has not been announced.

(source: PWInsider.com)

— While the following names have not yet been publicly announced by TNA Wrestling for Sunday’s HardCORE Justice pay-per-view event, they have been independently confirmed: Mike Bucci (a/k/a Nova), Joel Gertner, referee John Finnegan, referee Mike Kehner and ring announcer Stephen DeAngelis.

Talent officially announced for the show are as follows: Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Sabu, Team 3D, Jerry Lynn, Mick Foley, Taz, The Sandman, Axl Rotten, Rhino, Balls Mahoney, Raven, CW Anderson, The FBI (Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke and Sal E. Graziano), Brother Runt, 2 Cold Scorpio, Al Snow, Simon Diamond and Johnny Swinger.

— TNA Wrestling is using Atlas Security to handle security for Sunday’s HardCORE Justice pay-per-view event. Atlas Security was the security company Extreme Championship Wrestling used for shows held at The Arena in Philadelphia.

— On Twitter, former WWE performer Gene Snitsky is promoting a fan initiated online petition pushing TNA Wrestling officials to sign him. The petition in question can be reached here.

Since departing from World Wrestling Entertainment in 2008, Snitsky has been seeking a career in acting. He will star in the sequel to the critically panned 1966 film Manos: The Hands of Fate, Manos: The Search For Valley Lodge.

– TNA president Dixie Carter posted a message on Twitter this week announcing that Brother Runt, C.W. Anderson, and The FBI will be at Sunday’s HardCORE Justice PPV.

– Despite the fact that TNA has used video clips of him to promote Hard Justice, former ECW champion Shane Douglas is telling people he does not plan on being at the show.

– Former ECW manager and referee Judge Jeff Jones recently appeared on Low Blow Radio and said he’s like to appear at Hardcore Justice, but never got an invitation. He’s reached out to friends in TNA about getting booked for the show, but there does not appear to be any interest.

– Stevie Richards taped a few backstage segments wearing a bWo (Blue World Order) t-shirt at last week’s TNA iMPACT! tapings, a sign that we’ll see him reunite with fellow bWo members Nova and The Blue Meanie this Sunday.

Hardcore Justice LIVE COVERAGE: This Sunday Night
If you’re not ordering the show, BE HERE for our detailed Live Coverage!
Detailed updates every minute so you don’t miss any of the action

Confirmed Matches:

* Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn

* Tommy Dreamer vs. Raven
(with Mick Foley as the referee)

The following ECW originals are also confirmed for Sunday’s TNA HardCORE Justice PPV:

– Sabu
– Team 3D
– Rhino
– Stevie Richards
– Simon Diamond
– Al Snow
– Axl Rotten
– Johnny Swinger
– Brother Runt
– C.W. Anderson
– Members of The FBI

More matches and appearances are expected to be announced before Sunday – stay tuned.

Former two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion, Tommy Dreamer, was one of the special guests on this week’s edition (08/02/10) of the award-winning Monday Night Mayhem radio show. Dreamer Says “There Is An Invitation Out There” To Paul Heyman For This Sunday Night’s HardCORE Justice PPV, Discusses The Reaction From Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff At The Revival Of ECW (And Getting “The Rub From “The Hulkster” On Last Thursday’s IMPACT), The Reaction By Critics (Who Feel That ECW Is Once Again Being Prostituted & Bastardized), Those In The WWE, & Several Former ECW Stars (Who Chose Not To Participate), How Long He Has Been Planning This Pay-Per-View Concept, The Importance Of Authenticity For This Show, Just How Close We Were To Seeing the PPV At The Former ECW Arena Or The Hammerstein Ballroom, What The Fans Can Expect From Him In TNA After His “Final Showdown” With Raven, & The Legacy Of ECW.

Click Here to listen to an MP3 of the entire interview.

Interview highlights courtesy of The Mayhem’s official correspondent, Paterson from New Jersey:

How supportive has Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff been about the ECW revival in TNA/the concept of the Hardcore Justice Pay-Per-View & the Hardcore Originals getting “the rub” from “The Hulkster” in the ring on last Thursday night’s iMPACT: “I was at WrestleMania with my dad. I was at WrestleMania II. For anyone to say anything about Hulk Hogan, he walks slowly and has a bit of a limp from all the surgeries. He has given so much to this business. To be in the ring with him, and the fan in me & the kid in me, they kept showing me & D-Von, and we were flexing, almost doing the Hulk Hogan pose as Hulk was coming to the ring. In regards to Dixie Carter giving us her 100% blessing, I don’t really know the guys’ personal feelings towards it, but I don’t think if Hulk Hogan didn’t like what he saw, I don’t think he would be out there. He has that stroke to say ‘No, I don’t wanna do something.’ I don’t know Eric Bischoff’s personal feelings towards it. Obviously, they are going forward and giving whatever Pay-Per-View matches they were gonna do for Hard Justice; they are gonna do the following Thursday, which is great.”

The Paul Heyman/TNA rumors & the “invitation” being extended to Paul for this Sunday night’s Pay-Per-View: “I have spoken to Paul, and there is an invitation out there. I would love for him to be there, but I understand if he’s not. He’s also doing stuff for Brock Lesnar. Paul is Paul, and if he does come in, I think he could definitely help. If he doesn’t, the business moves on without him. He’s very, very talented, and I think it would be cool to get people to drink his Kool-Aid again. If he does come to terms, I think it would be a good deal for Paul, and hopefully it would be a good deal for TNA as well.”

His thoughts on the refusal of several former ECW stars (such as “The Franchise” Shane Douglas, Mikey Whipwreck, & Lance Storm) choosing not to appear at HardCORE Justice: “Number one, there are only so many matches that you can truly have. I also don’t wanna throw a bunch of people into Battle Royals just for the sake of throwing people into the show. Yes, I did reach out to Lance Storm, and he said ‘Thanks for thinking of me, but I had my closure in 2005, and it was the perfect scenario for me.’ He had some personal issues with TNA, but that didn’t affect our friendship. Mikey Whipwreck has some serious health issues, and talking to Mikey he said ‘Hey, when I sneeze, my fingers go numb, and I gotta get my neck worked on.’ He also did not want to go out there and embarrass himself, and to me, if you can’t go out to that ring, you shouldn’t go out there anymore. If you’re there, you’re there. If you’re not there, I respect that.”

His reaction to the critics who think this PPV is being done to only make money for TNA & those that feel that the ECW legacy is being bastardized/prostituted yet again and the response he has received from World Wrestling Entertainment (including his long-time friends & colleagues who still work there): “I’ve gotten so many texts & phone calls from people who do work in the WWE congratulating me and wishing me tons of success. This was never about bashing the WWE, or we’re better…that’s not the case. My plan was to create a buzz for TNA. I’ve done that, and created some ratings for TNA, and we’ve done that too. After this, my goal is to help all that in TNA. I do have a different perspective, not saying that it’s 100% right, but these are ways I could prove to other people that if this is a success, that we are on the right track here. Bastardizing it and all that stuff, no. Bottom line, this is a television show. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to watch it. Everything I have tried to do in my short time I’ve been in TNA, and trust me when I tell you: this is for TNA & for the future of this business. I wish I could have Joey Styles call the Pay-Per-View, but I can’t, because he’s under contract. If Chris Jericho was available, I would have Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio, but I can’t. The surprises I have in store I hope are good surprises for people, and I look at this as a celebration of guys who are getting another shot, and you’ll never see us together again.”

What can the fans can expect from him in TNA (both inside the squared circle and/or behind the scenes) after his “Final Showdown” with Raven at HardCORE Justice: “My goal is to contribute to TNA in any role given to me and to continue to contribute in the wrestling business that I love so much. I have a list of men & women that I have seen on the indies that are television ready, and I have a list of people that should go to a developmental system that I’ve seen them work live, and if I have the opportunity to introduce these new people to the world, I would love to do that. It’s going out there and having to wrestle AJ Styles, finding a partner and wrestling Beer Money, wrestling Samoa Joe, or helping with a promo in the background behind the scenes, or helping on creative. Giving my experiences that I learned to show what I feel to help you take it to the next level. Just continue to contribute to the TNA product, as well as contribute to the business that I love.”

More is contained in Tommy Dreamer’s highly anticipated/first-ever appearance on the award-winning Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network, including the actual origins of the HardCORE Justice Pay-Per-View concept, the importance of authenticity for this show, just how close we could have been to seeing the PPV at the former ECW Arena or The Hammerstein Ballroom, & so much more! Call your local cable or satellite provider and demand HardCORE Justice: The Final Stand! While counting down the days until Sunday night’s PPV, we strongly encourage you to check out Tommy’s official website (located at www.TheTommyDreamer.com), and follow “The Innovator of Violence” right now on his Twitter page (located at www.Twitter.com/TheTommyDreamer).

— TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter announced on her Twitter account this morning that its behind the scenes program, TNA ReACTION, will debut at 11:00 p.m. EST following iMPACT! on Aug. 12.

— TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter announced Tuesday on her Twitter account that Too Cold Scorpio will appear at Sunday’s HardCORE Justice pay-per-view.

– We’ve received a ton of emails about this one …. To put an end to an ugy rumor that’s circulating online, Hulk Hogan is ALIVE and well. TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter issued the following statement this afternoon regarding The Hulkster:

“HULK HOGAN IS ALIVE AND WELL. He did not drown. Not sure how these rumors get started. Awful.”

– Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Mikey Whipwreck posted a message on Facebook saying that he declined an offer from TNA to appear at next weekend’s Hardcore Justice PPV:

“For the record, I have no intentions of doing the TNA PPV. I’m happy for the guys that are doing it but its nice to see the little bingo hall company everyone “blew off” back in the day as “insignificant” is called upon every time business is in the toilet.”

— In the UK, this week’s iMPACT! will air on Bravo on Saturday at 11 p.m. and Sunday on Bravo2 at 9 p.m. The broadcast will return to its original Saturday time slot next week. The reason for the two hour preemption is due to the Live European Darts Championship.

— The official website of Great Championship Wrestling, www.gcwaction.com, has announced that Johnny Swinger, a mainstay in the promotion, will make his return to TNA Wrestling at Hard Justice.

Swinger previously worked for the organization when it emanated from the Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee, most notably as Simon Diamond’s tag team partner. The two are expected to reunite at the pay-per-view.

— Former ECW star Michael Depoli (a/k/a Amish Roadkill) has declined TNA Wrestling’s offer to appear at next month’s Hard Justice pay-per-view event, reports the Pro Wrestling Torch.

His reason for declining their invite is that he considers himself retired from professional wrestling and simply has no interest in returning.

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— Those within TNA suggest Desmond Wolfe is currently in the doghouse. The British wrestling star has developed a reputation for being difficult to work with, which has affected his push in the organization.

Company officials are also down on Matt Morgan, who has been discussed as being part of Ric Flair’s Fortune group. Hernandez’ two botched Border toss attempts during their Steel Cage bout at Victory Road were blamed on “The Blueprint” since Hernandez is a favorite among management.

— Company officials are said to be very high on The Motor City Machine Guns and Beer Money, Inc. following their stellar tag team bout at Victory Road.

— Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Steve Corino, who declined appearing at ECW reunion shows in the past, says he has not been contacted to appear at Hardcore Justice.

(sources: PWInsider.com, Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— Lance Storm, who has been highly critical of TNA Wrestling’s creative process in recent years, posted a blog on his official website saying he declined their offer to appear at next month’s Hardcore Justice pay-per-view event.

“I was asked if I would be interested in taking part in the TNA: One Last Stand PPV. I think it was big of them to extend me the offer, considering my general opinion of the TNA product, and want to I thank them for that, but I will not be taking part,” Storm wrote.

He continued, “I feel it would be hypocritical of me to work the show, considering my out outspoken views of the TNA product. I have a great deal of respect for the boys who will be working the show as well as the great workers on the TNA roster, but I have no desire to be a part of the TNA creative process. As for ECW, One Night Stand in 2005 was my farewell and am content in letting sleeping dogs lie.”

— Former ECW talent Yoshihiro Tajiri and Super Crazy are booked to appear at an event in Japan on August 8 and thus will not be appearing at Hardcore Justice.

— Reid Fliehr, son of Ric, will be visiting Orlando later this month and is expected to begin wrestling training with Terry Taylor. He has yet to sign a contract with the organization.

— A promotional advertisement for next month’s Hardcore Justice pay-per-view features footage of Sabu, Jerry Lynn and The Sandman, which should confirm the three former ECW World Heavyweight Champions’ involvement with the show.

— TNA Wrestling’s Before the Bell preview of Hardcore Justice has been posted online. The 15-minute video can be viewed here.

— Tommy Dreamer’s heartfelt speech at the conclusion of last night’s iMPACT! is online at the following link.

TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION (TNA) WRESTLING ANNOUNCES SPECIAL ‘HARDCORE JUSTICE’ PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT LIVE AUGUST 8

Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling President Dixie Carter and “The Extreme Original” Tommy Dreamer announced that “Hard Justice,” TNA’s live pay-per-view event August 8 at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, will transform to “HardCORE Justice,” a one-night-only celebration of extreme, hardcore wrestling featuring a never before seen reunion of legendary wrestling superstars.

Carter granted the request made by Dreamer and his band of hardcore originals – Mick Foley, Raven, “The War Machine” Rhino and Stevie Richards – on “TNA Thursday Night iMPACT!” on Spike TV (9p.m. ET/PT) to have “one last chance” to celebrate the history and the passion of extreme hardcore wrestling.

“Giving Tommy this chance is one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made as TNA President,” Carter said. “For years I’ve heard fans talk about the similarities between TNA and what these guys accomplished. Tommy, Mick and these superstars sacrificed everything, and not for money, but for the love of our sport and for the fans..”

Carter continued, “These guys set the bar so high with the passion they brought to this business. I’ve been lucky to have had so many work for me through the years, and now to have a locker room today with that same fire and drive to help build TNA. This is my chance to show our appreciation.”

“Dixie has allowed us to have a chance to finally thank the fans that have supported us for all of these years,” Dreamer said. “In the past, we’ve been lied to and we’ve been punished for being who we were and building what we did. Now we have a chance to get everyone back together for one last night.”

Carter also announced today that Dreamer would be given full creative control of “HardCORE Justice.” In addition to the hardcore originals, Dreamer revealed a few more names for “HardCORE Justice,”: Current TNA agents Al Snow and Simon Diamond, as well as tag team legends Team 3D and current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam. Dreamer confirmed that Van Dam will compete at the pay-per-view event, but will not defend his title.

“TNA is the only place that this event could happen,” Dreamer said. “There are no politics to worry about and no restrictions in place. The fans know that I have a lot of extremely close friends, so they can expect anything and everything to happen. I have some surprises for everyone,” he said.

TNA officials have also announced a newly revised “HardCORE Justice VIP Weekend.” Originally created to celebrate Mick Foley’s 25th anniversary in professional wrestling, the VIP event will now feature a special “hardcore reunion” with Foley, Dreamer, Richards, Rhino and many more hardcore wrestlers on Saturday August 7 at the NASCAR Grill at Universal Studios’ City Walk. In addition, the VIP package includes guaranteed VIP early admission into “HardCORE Justice” as well as both tapings of “iMPACT!” on August 8-9, as well as a private post-show Q&A session with Foley, Dreamer and friends on August 8.

The “HardCORE Justice VIP Weekend” retails for $99, and is the only way for fans to guarantee admission to the “iMPACT Zone!” for “HardCORE Justice.” Tickets can be purchased at www.ShopTNA.com

Dreamer, who stated that more names and matches would be announced in the coming weeks on “TNA Thursday Night iMPACT!,” said that “HardCORE Justice” would be “The Last Stand” for the legacy of hardcore wrestling.

“This is it for an event like this, and it’s the perfect send off we never thought we’d receive. It’s funny, because there had never been a wrestling company that the fans would chant for by name since our time… until TNA began.”