The following are highlights of a new ImpactWrestling.com interview with TNA President Dixie Carter, conducted by TNA executive Jeremy Borash:

On 2014: Carter said she is proud of some of the overall changes they have made to the product and bringing back the six-sided ring. “I think it was a really good year, but it’s definitely a transitional year.” She said she was in negotiation mode during the second half of the year. “I’m proud, it was a good year,” she said.

On Spike TV: “I said to them I feel like we have to have something different. We can’t just be status quo going into a new deal. It can’t just be a two-hour Impact. We have to grow our brand and do some things differently and really shake it up. That was the tone of all my conversation with networks. I’m not really interested in someone picking up our two-hour show. I’m interested in having someone become a partner on a much bigger level.”

On her dealings with talent during the negotiations: “I never didn’t feel 100 percent support from everybody. There’s always an uneasiness when it comes to change… I was not going to let anybody down. It didn’t matter what it was going to take, I wasn’t going to let anybody down, but that didn’t mean we were going to take a bad deal.”

On breaking new news to talent: “I wanted to do it in person, obviously, but we weren’t able to do that. They were the first people I told when we all got on the conference call. The response was great. I had to have them open up the lines so I could just hear people talk, to make it much more casual and informal in the way we are. The great thing is I think everyone is supportive, I think everyone is excited about the potential, and they’re doing that without even knowing how just different it is going to be… I can’t wait for these meetings that we’re having and these conversations that were happening and some of these changes that are going to happen, that these get out and they start to see the support on a different level. So many things. There are a lot of announcements coming. I know sometimes we say stay tuned, but I really mean it, stay tuned. There’s a lot of stuff, a lot of changes.”

On the current talent: “I love this young roster we have right now. Looking back, this is probably the best, freshest group of young talent that we’ve ever had. I can’t say enough good things about him, I have to give credit to John Gaburick, our head of talent relations and television creative. That was a real focus of his, and Spike was very supportive of us taking a step back to take a major step forward in our future, and that is giving a lot of real estate on our show, a lot of television time, to kids who had never seen before. They have the best attitudes and are so great to be around and their work rate is incredible, and they do whatever is asked. They’ve been such a great addition, I think even to challenging the veterans. I love that they are coming in with such a confidence. They want a top spot and they are working really hard to get it. I think there have been some who have made massive strides in such a short period of time, and I don’t ever remember us having that kind of success with new talent in such a short time.”

On Kurt Angle: “I’ve always been very vocal in saying that I want Kurt to retire in TNA. He was our first massive signing. What he’s meant to this company from the very beginning I can’t even put into words. He’s carried the load and led. Obviously, his work rate is off the charts. He brings so much to this company. I want to see him with us for the rest of his career, and when he decides to hang up his boots, I would love to see him on the other side. There are very few brains, the psychology of wrestling, that are as fantastic as his. But I want to see him do some new and exciting things, represent us on different levels, which he’s done a little bit of in the past… He is so ready to get back in that ring. He’s in amazing shape. His head’s on straight. He’s so focussed, he’s so excited. This could be the year of Kurt Angle, it really could be. And he deserves it. He’s had some tough injuries to come back from, but he’s worked very hard and he deserves it.”

Wrestling legend Kurt Angle has revealed to Vince Russo that he will be staying with TNA Impact Wrestling for the final year of his in-ring career.

Angle appeared on Russo’s podcast “The Swerve” over the weekend and spoke about a number of topics, including CM Punk’s podcast, working with Vince McMahon and Dixie Carter and more. After the interview, Russo said he received a direct message on Twitter from Angle, who told him to break the news about his in-ring future.

“Kurt basically tweeted me back today and he said, ‘Vince, it’s still unofficial, but I have no problem telling you or you announcing or you saying on your show that I’m going to go back to work for TNA,'” Russo said.

Angle was featured prominently on TNA’s promotional material for Impact’s move to Destination America next month. He had teased the possibility of “going home” and finishing out his career in WWE, but it the Olympic gold medalist will retire a TNA Superstar.

Hit up Page 2 below to read what Angle said about his experience working for Vince McMahon & Dixie Carter, if his relationship with Triple H was a factor in his final decision, CM Punk’s situation and more.

In 1987, WWE presented their first ever “Survivor Series” event, the first non-WrestleMania pay-per-view event, originally designed to steal viewers away from their main competition at the time, NWA’s “Starrcade,” which was the south’s version of “WrestleMania” (even though Starrcade came first) and was WWE’s attempt to throw down the gauntlet to the pay-per-view industry.

Basically put, if you were a pay-per-view provider and you decided to carry Starrcade, you would not be able to carry WrestleMania, a proven success in the pay-per-view industry.

That was the beginning.

From there, throughout the years, a number of historical events would take place at a Survivor Series event.

In no particular order, you can point to single Superstar debuts such as The Undertaker in 1990, which was also the debut of the infamous Gobbeldy Gooker. Which was the more famous of the two, well, I’ll let you decide.

1996 saw the debut of “Rocky Maivia,” to this day arguably the biggest cross-over name to ever emanate from the world of sports entertainment. At the time, while he was touted as being the first-ever third generation performer, and as “Good Ole’ JR” would say, “that’s gonna be the man, right there! That’s blue-chipper, right there!” with all of the enthusiasm the only Jim Ross could muster, oh how true those words would come to be as time went on.

One year later, the most infamous moment perhaps in all of WWE would take place. A moment that certainly began the shift in the WWE vs. WCW “Monday Night Wars” would take place, as not only did Bret Hart get “screwed” in what would become known as “The Montreal Screwjob,” but in many ways, that became the birth of the “Mr. McMahon” character, one that without he, the “Stone Cold” Steve Austin character may have never reached the heights that he would go on to achieve throughout his illustrious career.

In 1999, WWE’s first ever Olympic gold medalist, Kurt Angle, made his official in-ring pay-per-view debut, defeating Shawn Stasiak in the second match on the card.

In 2002, the Survivor Series featured another “first,” as this would be the first time that we were treated to a new gimmick match known as the “Elimination Chamber.” A man notorious among the wrestlers within the profession, just a few months ago the match concept was thrown out, large in part — according to various rumors — because of how unforgiving the structure was for those who had to actually compete inside it.

Most recently, the big “debut” of a match, concept or character took place at the November 18, 2012 edition of the WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view, which took place in Indianapolis, Indiana, as three men who would become known as “The Shield” made their official WWE main roster debut. Those three men would become known as Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.

Just to show how important those three men are, one is involved (as a Team Captain, no less) in the main event of this year’s Survivor Series, which takes place tonight from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

That man is Seth Rollins.

Another one of the former Shield members, Dean Ambrose, is in what is being billed as arguably the legitimate co-main event of the evening, as he collides with another rising up-and-comer, Bray Wyatt.

And that leaves Roman Reigns.

Well, while he’s not officially booked on the actual card for tonight’s show, let’s just say there are a lot of rumors going around that claim we just may see him involved on the show tonight in some form or fashion after all.

Finally, that leaves two other names.

First up, the hometown boy. St. Louis’ own “The Viper” Randy Orton is rumored to make his return to WWE, after taking a brief hiatus to film a WWE Studios project, “The Condemned 2.”

Last, and absolutely not least, is “The Icon.”

While yours truly is not holding his breath and is going to take a “wait and see” approach before getting overly excited, rumors on the internet over the past few days insist that a certain Crow-painted style performer will make his very, very highly-anticipated WWE pay-per-view debut tonight at the Scottrade Center.

That’s right, folks. “The man they call Sting” is rumored to make his WWE debut, after all these years, at the same show that has produced so many memorable debuts, characters, matches and moments. If, in fact, “The Stinger” does make his WWE debut on tonight’s show, this writer has his new favorite Survivor Series moment of all-time.

We’re just hours away! Make sure to keep it locked right here at SEScoops.com for the most extensive, in-depth, live results coverage of tonight’s WWE Survivor Series 2014 pay-per-view!

Until then, leave your feedback in the “Comments” section below, and don’t forget to add me as a friend on Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR and/or follow me on Twitter @MBoone420.

Enjoy the show, everybody!

It looks like Kurt Angle is going to remain in TNA, despite recent reports to the contrary.

Angle’s contract with TNA reportedly expired on September 21st and according to reports, TNA wants people to believe that he is leaving the company so that when it’s revealed that he’s actually staying, it will come off like a big surprise to the fans.

As noted recently, Angle apparently turned down an offer to return on a full-time schedule with WWE because he felt his body couldn’t hold up to such a schedule. Whether or not that offer was ever really made, was never actually confirmed.

Despite reports to the contrary, it appears as though Kurt Angle is not in negotiations with WWE to return to the company as an active in-ring performer.

It was reported recently that Angle declined a full-time contract from WWE because he doesn’t feel like he can handle a full-time touring schedule.

One theory is that if WWE did offer Angle a full-time gig, it was a tactic done on purpose to politely decline him since they know he wouldn’t be able to handle a full-time schedule.

For a long time, Vince McMahon has been against the idea of Angle wrestling for his company again due to health concerns. Many feel that the only plausible scenario is that WWE may be willing to allow Angle to return for a “farewell run” of sorts, as long as he’s able to pass all of the Wellness and physical tests required to do so.

Following the recent expiration of Kurt Angle’s TNA contract, the Olympic gold medalist is now a free agent and is actively negotiating with WWE and TNA to determine which company he’ll call home in the final year of his in-ring career.

One source in WWE claims the company offered angle a full-time contract (pending medical testing), but Angle turned it down due to the rigors of WWE’s touring schedule. Angle reportedly proposed a part-time deal, with discussions still ongoing.

Angle is also said to be willing to return to TNA, if they can reach a deal. Angle and Dixie Carter are on very good terms and there is a degree of loyalty there, having been with TNA since September 2006.

Kurt Angle Hyping Press Conference To Reveal His Future Plans

(Source: PWInsider.com)

The following are highlights of a new Sports Keeda interview with Chris Jericho:

AG: You’ve wrestled many great matches and faced some of the biggest names such as Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle. Here’s a hard one for you – What has been your best match so far in your career?

CJ: Well I mean, yeah it is a hard one, but sometimes, if I have to tell you one, the one between Shawn Michaels and myself at Unforgiven 2008 – it was a match for the world title. It was a great match and the culmination of the angle that basically grew organically on its own for over 5-8 months. It was a perfect example of really good storytelling.

AG: In recent years, you have come back and put over talents such as Fandango and Bray Wyatt. Do you think WWE has dropped the ball with them since?

CJ: I mean, put them over, beat them or both. It’s just a matter of working with new characters and new guys. WWE doesn’t drop balls; your career goes in waves, it goes in cycles. I know that more than anybody else. Sometimes you work on top, sometimes you’re not and when you’re not, it’s upto you to make your mark and get back on track again. I think that WWE has a plan and never tries to sabotage anybody on purpose. Why would they do that? It costs them money.

Someone like Bray Wyatt has a huge potential, huge upside. He’s got a long way to go, so there are no worries and no rush. Fandango – I thought was kind of a one trick pony as far as his character and gimmick go. There is only so much you can do with it. I think it’s time to update that character and take it to another place because you can only do so much with a character like that.

RM: A lot of the wrestlers in their interviews have mentioned about how snug you are with your work, which in my opinion is what makes it all the more believable. The working style in the WWE, especially in this day and age, is a lot less physical except for a couple of people. Have you had anybody complain about your style or have you toned it down over the years?

CJ: No, not at all. I mean I just worked the way I work. Maybe when I first came to WWE back in 1999. There must have been complaints from certain people but I think those people were complaining about everything I did. Whenever I worked with people like Chris Benoit, Bob Holly, Bradshaw or any of those guys, they worked hard. That doesn’t mean you are stiff, it means you are working solid.

I don’t ever get complaints for the way I work and nor would I expect any. I am not hurting anybody, either Sheamus or Cesaro or anybody who works the general hard style, you are just working, trying to get the best possible match you can make it. No one’s breaking any bones or losing any teeth. I just work hard and that’s what it’s all about.

Check out the complete interview at SportsKeeda.com.

Kurt Angle has announced that Angelina Love, Taryn Terrell and Madison Rayne will square off in a triple-threat match on this Wednesday’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling to determine a new number one contender to Havok’s TNA Knockouts Championship.

It’s also worth noting that Velvet Sky vs. Havok for the Knockouts Championship has been confirmed for this Sunday’s TNA Bound For Glory pay-per-view, which means there will only be two title matches on the company’s biggest show of the year, as Kaz Hayashi vs. Low Ki vs. Samoa Joe for the X-Division Championship is also confirmed.

During an interview with AlternativeNation.net, Kurt Angle spoke about the next chapter in his career, now that he’s a free agent and on the road to recovery after recent knee surgery. Will he stay with TNA or return home to WWE for one final run? Angle said:

“I can’t really say who I’m going with yet or what company I’m going to sign with. I am going to sign, but I’m going to just sign for one year, and that’s that. I think I’m pretty much done, I’m just going to have the best year I can have. Hopefully it’ll be my best year, then I’m going to retire.“

Angle says he will not be cleared to wrestle again until January, but a press conference is scheduled for sometime in October to announce his new deal.

“I went with the company that was going to really emphasize what I wanted, and that was a limited wrestling schedule,” Angle said. “I would say no more than 40 dates a year, that’s what I wanted, that’s where I feel I am at in my career right now. That’s a lot of the reason, like I said, the company that I’m signing with is a company that really wanted to take care of me, both from a wrestling standpoint and a financial standpoint, and I’m very happy with it.”

The Olympic Gold Medalist has wrestled virtually all of the top names in the business over the past decade, but still has a number of opponents he’d like to work with before he retires. Interestingly, when asked to name guys he’d like to work with in 2015, most of the names he mentioned are WWE Superstars.

“I would say right now the wrestlers are MVP, EC3, Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, definitely Rusev is one of the top ones, and last but not least, I think we would probably have the greatest match of all time, and that would be Daniel Bryan,” Angle said. “I would love to do a program with Jack (Swagger(, I just don’t know what they’re doing with him, and what direction they want to go with Jack. He’s talented, I just don’t know if he’s at the level that he could be.”

– Independent wrestler Brute VanSlyke had a tryout with TNA at this week’s Impact Wrestling television taping in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

– Kurt Angle announced a Toughest Man in New York City tournament where the winners of the first round matches will advance to a five-man final match. The names announced for the tournament thus far include MVP, Magnus, Abyss, Austin Aries and Robbie E. Six additional names will be added in the near future.

– Kurt Angle tweeted the following on Wednesday night, teasing an upcoming return to the ring:

Knee rehab is doing well! Gonna be wrestling soon! #gonnabeepic

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) September 17, 2014

Angle stated in a recent interview that he’ll be signing a new contract (not necessarily with TNA) shortly.

– TNA President Dixie Carter was asked by a fan on Twitter if she could provide a sign that Impact Wrestling would be on US television come January 2015. She replied:

SIGN :)RT @CRegal23: @TNADixie Dixie, could u please give us loyal #TNA fans a sign that Impact will be on U.S. TV come the new year?

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) September 18, 2014

The following is a transcript of a new Ring Rust Radio interview with Kurt Angle.

Donald Wood: Impact Wrestling recently made the jump from Thursday to Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. ET on Spike TV. What are your thoughts on the move for the company’s flagship show and what it could mean for the future of the TNA on SpikeTV?

Kurt Angle: Well I believe it’s a positive step both for TNA and for Spike. You obviously want to keep ratings higher or get a high rating so Wednesday is always a good night. Thursdays you’re obviously up against football, also I believe WWE Smackdown might be moving to Thursday. There are a lot of people that like to watch both programs. I think it was a smart move both on Spikes part and TNA.

Mike Chiari: Over the past couple months you’ve been acting as the on-screen Director of Wrestling Operations for TNA while healing from your injury. What are some of the challenges that come with serving in an authoritative role rather than being an in-ring performer, and is this something you’d be interested in doing more of when you’re no longer an active competitor?

Kurt Angle: Oh without a doubt. I love the business and I caught on very quickly in every aspect of the in-ring work to mic work to the psychology. I really enjoy and have a passion for it. I thought I would never have a passion for it like I do considering I come from Olympic wrestling but for some reason I was bred to do it and I really enjoy my role right now. It gives you a broader perspective of what’s going on in the company, what’s the best situation for the company, and what wrestlers need to be pushed a little harder. You can’t push ’em all at once so it’s very difficult, you have to be very selective. John Gaburick, who is the head of our talent relations and head of production and everything else, asked me to help out with the situation and not only be on camera but also behind the scenes helping out any way I can. I do enjoy it and I do see a future in that when I retire.

Brandon Galvin: On Jim Ross’ podcast and in other interviews, you’ve spoken in great detail about your start in professional wrestling. You instantly became one of the top wrestlers in the business. Could you share with us what you attribute your evolution as a performer to and what it means to you to be considered one of the best to ever step in the ring?

Kurt Angle: Well I never considered myself one of the best ever. It had a lot to do with that I had a lot of success and I caught on very quickly. Within two years I was calling my own matches. That just doesn’t happen in the business. It’s way too difficult of a business to have somebody that’s two years green basically carrying the match, putting the match together, and structuring it. I did and the reason I did was because I was not a good leader. I forgot everything I had ever learned my whole life about Olympic wrestling and I decided that I was going to have the wrestlers in the ring teach me: The Undertakers, HHHs, Rocks, and Stone Colds. I listened and I was a very good listener. I listened to everything they did and why they did it. I studied the business but never watched a day of wrestling before I started. Now I watch tapes all the time especially of matches from the 70’s and 80’s to get ideas and to get a good grasp of psychology. I was a very good listener and because I became a very good listener I stepped into the leader part where I could be a good leader. Within three years, I was probably one of the best wrestlers in the business at that time. Overall, you can’t be one of the greatest of all time within three years. Now that I’m fifteen years in the business I would consider myself in the top 20. There are so many great wrestlers like Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, HHH, and Stone Cold who never gets credit for being a wrestler. He was incredibly gifted as a wrestler but his character was just so strong that people didn’t care about his wrestling. There are so many great wrestlers in the business; even Undertaker. I was very blessed to be in the ring with those guys and I learned a lot from them.

Donald Wood: We mentioned your knee injury earlier. You underwent ACL surgery in May. Can you talk about how the recovery process has been, where you’re at physically and when fans can expect you back in the ring?

Kurt Angle: When I had the surgery I knew I had a torn ACL but the doctors told me I didn’t really have to have surgery. I’ve been wrestling on it for five years without an ACL so I might as well keep going. At this particular time last year it started limiting me and I can’t be a limited wrestler when I’m in the ring, I have to be able to go 110%. So because of the shifting in my knee it made me nervous and made me feel like my knee was going to blow out at any time. So I opted to have the ACL surgery so I could go back to the way I was. The recovery process was longer than I expected. I was expecting to be back in the ring by October which would have been five and a half months. That’s not possible. This is a very, very slow and steady process. I’d say I’ll be back in the ring by December or January and that’s rushing it. I want to be ready. I don’t want to just go in there and have to nurse my knee I want to be a 110 % so I can do what I do.

Mike Chiari: Having spent eight years in WWE and now eight years in TNA you’ve had two extremely successful and unique halves of a professional wrestling career to this point. If you had to identify yourself either solely as a WWE guy or a TNA guy in terms of what you’ve accomplished, which would you label yourself and why?

Kurt Angle: What I would label myself? You know you always go back to where you started. I don’t think you can label Sting as a TNA guy. He’s a WCW guy and even Sting in WWE now will always be remembered as a WCW guy. So I can’t say I’m a TNA guy obviously. WWE is where I started and Vince McMahon made me who I am and gave me the opportunity but I’ve had a better career in TNA. Now a lot of WWE fans might not believe that or they may have never seen me wrestle in TNA but the matches I’ve had in TNA were actually better than the matches I had in WWE. That’s a hard thing to say, but the matches I’ve had with Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, and the different matches with different wrestlers like Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Desmond Wolf, Mr. Anderson, and Bobby Roode. I would say I was probably more consistent in TNA although I was always known to have the best matches and be a very consistent wrestler in WWE. I think it’s because the older I got the more I improved, the more I mastered the craft, the more I was able to let myself do what I do and have more confidence. The reason the second part of my career was better than the first was because of that.

Brandon Galvin: A lot has been said by other wrestlers recently about the state of the industry. How do you feel about the current state of the industry compared to when you entered?

Kurt Angle: Well ya know I think that we are at a time now where we need to go back. Let’s just say the WWE Attitude Era – what made it so successful? There were so many great wrestlers that were at the top. Stone Cold, the Rock, Undertaker, HHH, Kane, Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, nobody was banking on one wrestler. For instance, Hulk Hogan in the late 80’s it was just Hulk Hogan. John Cena for the past 6, 7 years, it was just John Cena, I believe that the reason they had so much success is they didn’t bank on one wrestler. They had so many great wrestlers and they all shared time in the main events. That’s what we need to do in pro wrestling. To make it better, to add so more flavor to it, so it’s not the same person all the time. I think both companies are on the right track, for WWE and TNA I think you are gonna see a lot more improvement in the future.

Donald Wood: Let’s talk about Olympic wrestling. You fought for its reinstatement as an Olympic event and the IOC has ensured it will be part of the 2020 Games. As one of the greatest wrestlers in Team USA history, what does wrestling mean to the Olympics and do you think the focus on the sport will help build an even stronger American wrestling program moving forward?

Kurt Angle: Ya know it was shocking to everybody that wrestles, especially with the other sports that were considered in being dropped. Wrestling isn’t just an Olympic pastime, it’s as old as the Olympics, it’s the oldest sport in the world. There just is a lot of things that needed to be adjusted in the U.S.O.C. or I should say F.I.L.A., the World Governing Body of Wrestling. They always march to the beat of a different drum and they didn’t want to go to the meetings. The I.O.C. weren’t very cooperative, they did their own thing, and I think they did tick off a few people. They also have been changing the rules every four years. So even if you’re not an avid wrestling fan and you’re watching the Olympics on TV, and you remember four years ago you are wondering, “What’s going on? Why did this guy score a point? I don’t understand?” It’s very difficult to explain it when every four years you keep changing the rules. What the I.O.C. has considered with F.I.L.A. is to keep it consistent. I’ll give you an example: It used to be three-three minute periods, then it was three-two minute periods. Then it was just one five minute period, and then it was two-three minute periods again. Now its two rounds, now were into rounds. I don’t understand that if you win the first and second round there won’t be a third. You could score ten points in the first round and lose by one point in the second round it would go to the third round even though you were leading by ten points in the match. It’s just confusing to even tell you and but it’s even more confusing to watch. What they need to do is simplify it and to keep it that way and also to involve women. I believe that they are adding more women’s weight classes. They obviously brought women to the Olympics a few Olympics back and now they are adding more women’s weight classes but at the same time they are pulling back from the men’s weight classes and that’s gonna hurt a little bit. When I was there, there was ten men’s weight classes now I believe there are seven and they want to drop it to six. That’s gonna be very difficult to make the Olympic team. It’s difficult as it was and it was almost impossible back then when I wrestled now it’s even more impossible.

Mike Chiari: You previously said on Jim Ross’ podcast that your TNA contract expires on September 21, which is now less than two weeks away. At that point, you seemed open to exploring all options whether that’s re-signing with TNA or perhaps returning to WWE. Now that decision time is kind of on the horizon, where do things stand currently for you and what direction do you envision yourself going in?

Kurt Angle: Well right now I’m not at liberty to say where I’m going but I will tell you I’m going to do the right thing for me and my family. I am in the process of structuring a deal and I do have a company in mind. I haven’t said yes because I want to make it a public thing with the company and myself. I can’t really say who it is or where I’m going but I can tell you it’s going to happen in the next two weeks before my contract is even up. I won’t be wrestling until January but there will be a signing in the next couple of weeks.

Brandon Galvin: You’ve had so many incredible matches and feuds over the course of your career in both WWE and TNA, but if you had to choose one guy as your greatest all-time rival who would that be and why?

Kurt Angle: Well ya know a lot of people don’t get to see many of them. I wish I could’ve had a little more with Shawn Michaels. We had an amazing chemistry but we only had a few matches. The one I really, really meshed with very well was Chris Benoit. It’s hard for me to say that but it’s the truth. We were so equally matched with the intensity and the moves that we had and just our abilities, it was a downright war every time we wrestled. If you watch those matches, especially the match in Boston from Royal Rumble in 2003 there was maybe one punch the whole match. it was wrestling and submission trade off. That’s how you tell a story. When you can do that and you’re not running the ropes the whole time and throwing punches and doing high spots and you can wrestle in the middle of the ring and you have the fans in the palm of your hands that is magic. That’s what makes wrestling so great. When you can do that you know you’re one of the best.

Check out the audio of the interview above.

– 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

– The official WWE website has a new interview up with NXT wrestler Bull Dempsey, who will take on Mojo Rawley at the upcoming NXT Takeover 2 live special on the WWE Network. You can check out the interview at WWE.com.

– Below is a new double-interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino and TNA star Kurt Angle.

Kurt Angle recently made inquiries to WWE about a return to the company, attempting to speak with Triple H, who reportedly blew him off. Angle apparently called Vince McMahon at this point, who told him that Triple H handles the talent decisions.

As a result, Triple H is said to be upset with Angle for what he feels was an attempt to go over his head.

Angle has noted in recent interviews that he would like to return to WWE, but also mentioned that he doesn’t feel he can work a full-time schedule these days.

TNA President Dixie Carter was challenged by Kurt Angle, Robbie E. and Phil Vassar to take part in the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge.” Dixie accepted and then challenged Bully Ray, Devon and Tommy Dreamer to do the same.

Above is a video of Dixie taking the “Ice Bucket Challenge.”

Kurt Angle was recently a guest on 105.9 The Xin Pittsburgh and spoke about his contract status with TNA and possibly making the jump back to WWE.

Angle noted that his current TNA deal expires on September 21st and at that point he will have a decision to make.

You can listen to the complete interview above.

Kurt Angle’s name was not mentioned in the advertising for TNA’s 2015 U.K. tour that came out this past week. Angle’s contract expires at the end of September and this is another possible sign that he will not be re-signing with the company.

Also not advertised for the tour were Austin Aries, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy and Devon. In the case of Aries, it is believed that his contract could be expiring before the tour as well. Jeff Hardy is not allowed in the U.K. due to a felony conviction, while Devon and Matt Hardy are likely under short-team deals that wouldn’t include an international tour.

Kurt Angle is trying to pitch a deal to WWE that would see him return to the company on a limited basis, working a deal similar to the one Shawn Michaels worked in his final run with the company. The deal would see Angle work the bigger shows and limited dates.

WWE has reportedly shown little interest in having Angle return as an in-ring performer.

Additionally, it’s said to be common knowledge within WWE that Vince McMahon is hesitant on having Angle on his roster given his past substance abuse problems, as an Olympic gold medalist tragically passing away while part of his company would result in a ton of negative media attention, among other problems.

• MMANEWS.COM: UFC FIRES Star After Failed Drug Test Today! [TONS OF UFC/MMA NEWS >>]

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

The following is from ImpactWrestling.com:

Major Matches Announced for #TNANYC Tapings Next Week

TNA Executive Director Kurt Angle has just announced two incredible matches for #TNANYC next week (August 5-7). First on August 5, it will be Samoa Joe vs Low Ki as the two iconic X-Division performers square off one-on-one for the first time in years!

On August 6th, a tag team dream match is scheduled! In a triple threat match, it will be TNA World Tag Team Champions The Wolves facing The Hardys and Team 3D. Last night, The Wolves and The Hardys stole the show at Destination X. When Team 3D joins this battle, we expect a match for the ages!

Already announced for NYC, war hero Chris Melendez is set to make his debut. Japanese legend Tajiri will also be in action. Additionally, Hardcore Justice is scheduled to be taped and will feature the return of Six Sides of Steel!

Many more surprises are planned for these shows AND all fans who purchase tickets will be invited to stick around after each show for a FREE meet and greet with top TNA stars!

The following are highlights of a new Between The Ropes interview with Jeff Hardy:

On whether or not he was worried that he wouldn’t get one more chance with TNA a few years ago following his personal problems: “Oh yeah, definitely. It was a dark, depressing time in my life after Victory Road 2011 was real … it was a sad time for me cause they could have easily fired me and let me go. As far as them giving me that second chance and letting me prove myself, TNA saved me. They saved my life pretty much.”

On hIs thoughts on the talk that Spike TV will not renew Impact Wrestling once the current deal expires: “I just hear that negotiations are ongoing. People have their doubts but me, I’m the type of guy that, you know, I have faith in TNA wherever we end up. I have faith that, you know, a year from now we’re still going to be on Spike. I don’t read Twitter timelines. I don’t follow the social network at all. So, I don’t know. I feel good about being in TNA and as far as I’m concerned I’m going to be on Spike this time next year.”

On if he would like to finish up his career with a return to the WWE like Kurt Angle has said he wants to do: “From time to time I’ll turn on Raw and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the WWE Universe man, because they, what a … the crowds. When I watch, it hurts a little bit. I’m going ‘oh man, that’s my creatures man, my fans’. They’ve supported me so much. And even on the Instagram posts that’s all I ever see. ‘Go back to WWE. You said you’d come back. It’s never forever, it’s just for now’. I mean, ultimately, when the time is right, who knows. But I started there and whether it’s 10, 15 years down the road I would like to end there.”

You can download a MP3 for the complete audio of the above Jeff Hardy interview by clicking here.

TNA star James Storm was recently interviewed by Sportsvibe.co.uk.

He spoke about a number of topics, including why he prefers playing a heel, what he thinks of the return of the six-sided ring and why Kurt Angle is one of the toughest opponents he has ever faced.

As for why he prefers being a heel, he said, “It’s always easier to piss somebody off than to make them happy.”

He said the 6-sided ring is a lot harder than the 4-sided ring and wrestlers need to be conscious of how many bumps they are taking and the effect it has on their bodies.

– Below is the latest edition of WWE’s “Five Things” YouTube series, which this time around looks at the five SummerSlam moments WWE would like you to forget.

– The following is a “WrestleMania Rewind Extra,” which features Rey Mysterio talking about his World Heavyweight Championship victory over Randy Orton and Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 22:

The following are highlights of a new This Is Infamous interview with Bo Dallas:

How different was his first main roster experience? “Very different. What happened in the 2013 Royal Rumble and what happened in the follow up on Monday Night RAW… And then I got the opportunity to go down to NXT and I won an NXT championship. At that time in my career, I spent around eight months to completely develop this character that had become so much more of a full, rounded superstar. I learned so much in that time and I’m a completely different performer than I was before.”

How WWE developmental is now: “I feel the difference these days… It’s definitely positive. I mean they’ve taken WWE developmental to a whole other level. The NXT platform is its own brand. The way that they pair us these days is amazing, because something from NXT to RAW or Smackdown, there are very little differences, because there were so well prepared for the next phase of the game.”

Are their other personalities he’s used for inspiration? “Yes, Kurt Angle is the #1 when it comes to who is most similar to what I’m doing and that’s who I’ve looked up to a lot, and learned many things from. Honestly the other WWE Superstar that I can say I’ve learned from was John Cena, taking his messages and taking them to the fullest with complete positivity. Never back down, never give up, and Bo-lieving in that and not straying from that and believing John Cena’s messages to the fullest.”

Possibly winning the Intercontinental Title: “I grew up watching, I grew up a huge man. If you look back at the Intercontinental Championship, you’ve got Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Mr. Perfect. This title is a legacy and I believe it needs to be brought back to that. It needs to be put back on its pedestal, and if I can obtain this title it would be a major life and career achievement and I would do anything in my power to bring it back to the prestige that it deserves.”

Check out the complete interview at ThisIsInfamous.com.

Part 2 of Jim Ross’ Ross Report interview with wrestling legend Kurt Angle is now online at PodcastOne.com. This week, Angle spoke extensively about his desire to return to WWE.

Angle said he’s absolutely interested in a possible WWE return. He’s currently in a tough spot, because he wants job security and TNA has treated him very well so far. Due to his TNA contract, he’s unable to approach WWE about returning. He can’t speak to Vince, Stephanie or Triple H. If he waits out his contract and then approaches WWE, he runs the risk of them not He’s always said he wants to finish his career with WWE. At the same time, the past year has been a roller coaster ride for him.

He has a great relationship with Dixie Carter, who has always treated him right. However, there have been times over the past year he’s wanted out, even though things are getting better lately. He wants to help TNA, but he also wants to see what WWE has to say.

Jim Ross said he met the Carter family once and he’s never met nicer people than Bob and Janice Carter. Angle agreed they are wonderful, supportive people and said Bob and Janice are now a lot more hands-on with TNA.

JR asked Angle if WWE’s Wellness program and medical testing would be an issue for him. Angle said no, not at this point. A year ago, yes. He was on a lot of pain killers, Xanax and was abusing alcohol. He got himself in a lot of trouble and it was time to get clean. He’s been sober for almost 11 months and is much happier, clear minded and is now listening to his body. He’s heard rumors that “he can’t pass a physical” but that would be no problem at all. His neck is fine, he’ll bounce back from his recent knee surgery. He’ll be just fine and can pass any physical.

If he does go to WWE, Angle said it’s about proving himself. He believes Vince, Stephanie, and Triple H will want to see that he’s cleaned his life up. He left on “bittersweet” terms and was reckless during his last WWE run. He was taking painkillers and “other stuff.” At the time, he blamed Vince McMahon for not trusting him to be the face of WWE. Now that he’s clean and sober, he knows that he’s the one that messed up a real good thing. If he does go back, he’ll have to make amends with Vince so they can move forward.

Angle said he loves WWE’s strict drug testing, which he thinks is great for everybody. He’s part of WWE’s rehab program, goes to AA meetings several times a week and is staying true to his recovery.

JR added that if Angle commits himself to recovery the way that he did with wrestling, he’ll be just fine.

Angle admitted that he was a failure as a father and a husband when he was using. He didn’t care about anything except pills, alcohol and wrestling. After Angle’s multiple DUI arrests, JR feared that Angle would be the next guy to have a “bad ending.”

If he returns to WWE, there’s a lot of great talent Angle wants to work with. He didn’t watch for a few years and didn’t think they had a great roster, but now he sees that they do . If there’s one person in WWE he could work with, it would be Daniel Bryan. If CM Punk ever returns, he thinks they could have great matches as well. He named Roman Reigns, Cesaro, Rusev and Brock Lesnar as guys he’d also like to work with. He talked about always wanting to wrestle The Undertaker at WrestleMania, but realizes that ship has sailed. WWE has a lot of guys he can help out and teach. He now watches WWE & TNA television every week and still loves the business.

They both put over AJ Styles as a tremendous talent and JR said WWE missed the boat with him.

Angle was asked about Brock Lesnar ending The Undertaker’s streak. Angle was very surprised by the ending, but said Brock Lesnar was the right guy to do it.

JR asked Angle if he can relate to CM Punk leaving WWE. Angle said he has to respect Punk’s decision, but he shouldn’t burn that bridge. There’s going to come a time when CM Punk could be a part time guy like The Rock who wrestles for big paydays and Punk should consider that opportunity if it arises.