-Former TNA Impact Wrestling star Shannon Moore recently posted a rant on Twitter regarding TNA’s future following several recent roster cuts, and the fact that so many established stars are sitting home right now, as opposed to being utilized by a top wrestling promotion.
Below is Moore’s rant from Twitter (multiple tweets combined):
People ask me my thoughts on TNA. I don’t know what the game plan is but would hate to see a company come to a cross roads. However I feel it’s time to capitalize on the house hold names that are sitting home right now. Carlito, Morrison, Helms, Masters, etc. These guys are hard workers that have name value that people still want to see. Sometimes the mixture of home grown and household names is a good thing. Just my opinion but so much talent that have a following should be put to use by someone. It’s a waste and this day and age it’s hard to build new talent unless you have the following already paying attention to your product!! That’s my thoughts but its not my answer at the end of the day that will help. Hopefully the game plan will pan out.
-TNA Impact Wrestling star Kurt Angle is the latest to take to Twitter to address the “#August1Warning” mystery-man angle. Angle tweeted the following:
ImpactWrestling Thursday Night Spike TV. 9 pm est. who is Aug 1st Warning? Tune In to See Who. I’m Curious!!
– The 2013 TNA Hall of Fame ceremony for Kurt Angle will be October 19th at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley.
– On Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, TNA Hall of Famer Sting revealed that he’ll be bringing back the Main Event Mafia. Here’s a preview for next week’s Impact Wrestling:
* The Latest on HULK HOGAN Wrestling Again & The Planned BOUND FOR GLORY Main Event
– 2013 TNA Hall of Fame member Kurt Angle recently tweeted about the honor – noting that WWE really needs to “give him his props” and induct him into their Hall of Fame:
@AndrewOLOC: I've Been Inducted in Every Amatuer and Pro Hall Of fame. Except Wwe and that is Next. I Will Be the Only One. :)
– In the latest Top 10 countdown video, WWE looks at some of the greatest “leaps of faith” in WWE history, including high spots from Brock Lesnar, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy and Bully Ray.
– The official YouTube account of TNA Wrestling has released post-Slammiversary footage, which features Sting being assisted to the backstage area by two referees after being struck with a hammer by Bully Ray to conclude the No Holds Barred World Heavyweight Championship main event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaYotgWp8Ks
– At Slammiversary, it was announced that Kurt Angle would be the second inductee into the TNA Wrestling Hall Of Fame taking place during Bound For Glory weekend in October. Through Twitter, fellow TNA legend Jeff Jarrett congratulated the Olympic Gold medalist on the honor.
“Congratulations to the 1 n only @RealKurtAngle 4 being inducted n 2 the #TNAHallofFame!” Jarrett wrote. “Inside the ring, there’s never been anybody better!”
– Two TNA stars celebrated birthdays at Slammiversary as “Cowboy” James Storm turned 36-years-old while Velvet Sky turned 32.
TNA star Kurt Angle tweeted the following messages in response to the announcement that he will be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame this October during Bound For Glory weekend:
Thank You All for Your Love and Support if HOF. Also My Match With AJ Was Amazing. I'm Very Blessed.
At Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view, it was revealed that Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle will be the second inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame.
Angle is a 5-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, a former X-Division Champion, King of the Mountain and the second Triple Crown Champion in TNA history.
Kurt Angle will be inducteed during Bound For Glory weekend in October and joins Sting as the only members of the TNA Hall of Fame.
– “Stone Cold” Steve Austin announced on Twitter that he’ll be in the studio today interviewing Olympic Gold Medalist & TNA star Kurt Angle for a new episode of his Steve Austin Show podcast.
– WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has apologized for a joke he made about Pat Patterson during the Bret Hart Appreciation celebration that took place after Monday’s WWE RAW. While Pat Patterson was calling Bret the greatest Canadian wrestler in history, he got on one knee to salute him. Bret said something to the effect of, he gets scared when Pat, an open homosexual, gets on his knees.
Apparently Bret got some backlash for the joke, as he tweeted today:
“I sincerely apologize to anyone that was in any way offended by my in-ring joke to Pat Patterson on Monday, especially to Pat … whom I hold in the highest regard. I was only trying to take some of the edge off an emotionally challenging moment and I failed. The comment does not in any way reflect my feelings toward the gay and lesbian community. B”
TNA star Kurt Angle was interviewed by Alfonso Castillo of Newsday.com and spoke about returning to TNA’s main event picture soon:
“This is a nice little break, but I’m getting ready to step and get back in the front seat. By no means am I ready to retire. I’m doing this to help the company. But pretty soon, I’ll be back in the main event mix.”
Angle also spoke about the possibility of returning to WWE before he reties, saying that anything’s possible:
“Since these guys wrestle part-time, obviously it’s appealing. But that’s what I do in Impact Wrestling now,” Angle said. “My loyalty is with Impact Wrestling right now. I can’t think about it yet until my contract is up. But is there a possibility (of returning to WWE)? You can’t throw anything off the table.”
Comment Below and tell us if you want to see Kurt Angle in a WWE ring again.
– Tonight on Impact Wrestling, it will be revealed whether TNA Wrestling cornerstone AJ Styles has turned his back on the company and the fans. The Aces and Eights have announced that on the show, they will hold a “Patching In” ceremony to officially welcome Styles intoto the gang.
TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter posted a message on Twitter hyping the show, and hopes Styles will come to his senses. She wrote, “In Tampa for our 1st TNA Show EVER in that great city. #ImpactLIVE! going to be big tonight. @AJStylesOrg needs to make the right choice.”
– Last week at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, Kurt Angle attended “The Rumble On The Rails,” an amateur wrestling event where three of the world’s top powers joined forces in solidarity to promote the sport. The event was broadcast on the NBC Sports Network, with the multi-time wrestling champion and Olympic gold medalist being shown in attendance during ESPN coverage. Here is video footage of Angle attending the event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQpdmQsQf_4
– This week’s featured match on TNA Xplosion on Challenge UK features Mickie James squaring off against Tara.
TNA sent out the following press release today today:
Kurt Angle To Attend “The Rumble On The Rails” | USA vs. Iran vs. Russia | NYC May 15
Olympic Gold Medalist, multi-time World Heavyweight Champion and TNA IMPACT WRESTLING superstar Kurt Angle will attend “The Rumble On The Rails” – USA vs. IRAN vs. RUSSIA – on May 15 at Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
Three of the world’s top powers will come together in solidarity in this historic wrestling event, which is a showcase competition as part of World Wrestling Month, declared by the international wrestling federation (FILA).
Each year, the United States, Iran and Russia are among the world’s best wrestling nations. Since the IOC Executive Board recommendation that wrestling not be a core sport at the 2020 Olympic Games, these three nations have worked closely together to help support Olympic wrestling. Although their governments do not always agree, the wrestling leaders in these nations have a strong working relationship.
TNA’s Kurt Angle joins other celebrated USA Olympians attending the event including Dan Gable, Bruce Baumgartner, John Smith, Tom Brand and Rulon Gardner.
TNA’s Television Production team will be on hand to film Kurt’s involvement at the historic competition, which will air here on our website, ImpactWrestling.com
For more information on “The Rumble On The Rails” event, visit TheMat.com, the official website of USA Wrestling
TNA star Kurt Angle appeared on Mark Madden’s Pittsburgh radio show this week to promote tonight’s live episode of Impact Wrestling. Here are some highlights of what Angle said about:
Why Hogan Is Battling Aces & Eights, Not Him:
“You know what, I’ve had talks with Creative and, yeah, we’ve been going back and forth. I’ve been the staple of the company the last five years until, I would say, the last year. I believe they’ve been trying to use the younger talent.”
“[It’s] a touchy subject. I love Terry, but you’re right, it is about bringing up the younger talent. And the way to do it is having them wrestle veterans like me in the main events. Hopefully in the future they’ll start doing that more often.”
Focusing Back On TNA After Considering Another Olympic Run:
“I believe that was probably the beginning of my demise in TNA as far as where they wanted me,” Angle said. “They were expecting me to try out for the Olympics and go to the Olympics, so they kind of wrote me off. Then, they didn’t have a lot for me. But, I said, ‘Hey, it’s over. What are we going to do now?’ And they said, ‘We’re going to have plans for you and start writing you back in.’ So, we’ll see here in the future.”
Loving TNA But Possibly Ending His Career In WWE:
“I love it in TNA. I’ve been very, very happy here. They treat me very well. You just never know,” Angle said. “The way I want to retire, I want to go out with a bang. I’m hoping to God that within the next three years, we can have somewhat of a PPV that is minutely close to WrestleMania. But, we don’t. Not yet. But, you know, everyone always wants to retire at WrestleMania.”
“It’s a hard thing because I want to stay in TNA – I love it there – but when you have the opportunity to go back and perform in front of millions of people on PPV and 100,000 fans in the stadium, it’s kind of hard not to. But, like I said, I am happy in TNA and this is where I want to stay.”
TNA star Kurt Angle was recently interviewed by The Sun and had this to say about his career winding down:
“When I do retire, I won’t be coming back. But I do see myself, after my contract is up, going on a reduced schedule where I will be part-time and only doing particular PPVs and TVs.
“I definitely am going to still be involved in wrestling because even though, thank God, I’m financially set, I love what I do.
“It’s hard to walk away from it when you can still do it. I’m still kicking hard and in my prime, I haven’t lost a step.
“If this happens in TNA, then great. I’ll be there for the big shows and represent them the best way I can. Hopefully they’ll get a lot more success out of it, more PPV buys and more attendance.
Angle also stated that he wants to start working a reduced schedule when his current contract expires, working just TV and pay per view events.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
Which WM29 Match He’s Most Looking Forward To:
“What match am I looking forward to the most at WM29? Several have my interest and ALL are important for those involved on a variety of levels. I certainly look forward to the Shield’s 6 man tag in their debut at the ‘Big Event.’ Very curious to see how @TripleH and Brock Lesnar engage. I love these physical, hellbent for leather type of matches. The Streak is a WM highlight and no element in WrestleMania history has been more significant than the Undertaker going 20-0 at the Super Bowl of WWE. As one who had a hand in signing both @JohnCena and @TheRock I am proud that they are going to close the show, again, but also am nervously anxious to see how they follow all that precedes them. Big time players step up and play when the game’s on the line and closing a WrestleMania event is akin to the game being on the line.”
How He Think Fandango Will Do At WrestleMania:
“I honestly feel that he will do well & have a surprisingly good match with the great Chris Jericho, @IAmJericho. I know that Fandango can wrestle because I’ve seen him pre-Fandango in NXT and it is unfortunate that some fans have already indicted this young man before they’ve see the new persona in action. Just because one doesn’t like the gift wrapping doesn’t mean that the package inside, inside the ropes in this case, won’t be a pleasant surprise.”
Kurt Angle In The WWE Hall Of Fame:
“Do I think that Sting or Kurt Angle will ever be inducted into the WWE HOF? Absolutely, is my best educated guess. When? I have no idea but I hope I’m around to see both inductions.”
Angle has stated publicly that he plans to retire by age 46 (he’ll be 45 on December 9th) – and responds to reports from a “wrestling site” that says he’ll be retired in 6 months:
Wrestling Site Did a story on Where I Will Go In 6 Months. 1st of all I'm not Beat Up and Battered. I'm 110 Percent Healthy. I'm Gonna D …
– Former WWE creative team member Court Bauer revealed on Twitter that David Kreizman, who started with WWE months ago, is now a WWE head writer. He is a Daytime Emmy award winning soap opera writer.
– TNA star Kurt Angle has been added to the Alumni section of WWE.com. It’s true.
– WWE is holding a ticket pre-sale this week for the new Payback pay-per-view. The event takes place on Sunday, June 16th from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The online pre-sale begins Thursday morning with the password PUNKPPV. Tickets will be on sale for $500, $300, $90, $70, $50 and $25 and go on sale to the general public this Saturday.
– WWEDVDNews.com has released the following video preview for the new “Life and Times Of Mick Foley” DVD release, in stores April 16th:
TNA star Kurt Angle was recently interviewed by ChicagoNow.com to promote Thursday’s live edition of Impact Wrestling from the Windy City. Here are some highlights of what Angle said about:
Where TNA Will Be In 5 Years: It continues to grow no doubt worldwide. We are on the road for good and we are taking little steps to improve the overall product. I believe in 5 years if things are done right we could be competing with the monster (WWE). They have amazing programming and Vince McMahon has done wonders for his product. I have been in Impact Wrestling for 7 years and I thought by now we would be up in the ratings. I believe that’s going to take a little more time.
Retirement: I might be involved in some way but not in the ring. I might have a part time schedule where I do some selected shows, which I can handle. If I decide to do that I won’t announce my retirement. But I’m going to give TNA the next 3 years of my absolute best and see what happens.
He also spoke about the International Olympic Committee’s decision to pull wrestling from the 2020 Olympic games, the Attitude Era and more.
TNA wrestler Kurt Angle spoke to Fox Sports today about the about the International Olympic Committee’s decision to drop wrestling from the Olympics, starting in 2020. Angle, who won a gold medal for wrestling in 1996, told Fox:
“We’re going to fight this. They can’t just drop it. They’re keeping badminton and that sport where you jump on a trampoline, and they’re dropping wrestling. It’s just crazy. I don’t know what this world is coming to. Things are changing.”
The Fox Sports report also notes that fellow gold medalist Dan Gable, who is the name-sake to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, plans to fight the decision. 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs tweeted:
“It’s not over yet. We will keep fighting to save the sport we love. Don’t stop dreaming and don’t stop believing
Bruce Braley, a congressman from the prominent wrestling state of Iowa, tweeted:
“Outrageous decision by @IOCMedia @Olympics to drop Wrestling from the Olympics. One of @Olympics oldest sports — absurd.”
Even Scott Blackmun, the CEO of the United States Olympic Committee, said Tuesday he was surprised about the decision, given the “history and tradition of wrestling, and its popularity and universality.”
A final vote by the IOC to eliminate wrestling from the Olympics will take place in September.
– WWE.com has published a photo gallery of R-Truth’s recent promotional tour of Qatar.
– World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio tweeted the following on Monday afternoon hyping his match with the Big Show this Sunday at WWE Elimination Chamber:
This time is not about destiny,it's about pride and respect,@wwebigshow doesn't stand a chance this Sunday at #WWECHAMBER in NOLA ADR/WHC
– Mark Henry tweeted the following about his plan to win the SmackDown brand’s Elimination Chamber match this weekend and challenge the World Heavyweight champion at WrestleMania:
– Kurt Angle revealed in an interview with F4WOnline.com Thursday that he plans to hang up the boots for good in three years.
“I’ve got two more years left at Impact Wrestling and then I’m going to have a retirement year and that’s going to be it. I think I’ll be done and once I retire, you’re not going to see me back in a ring again, that’s for sure,” said the 44-year-old grappler. “I’m not going to be a guy that retires and keeps coming back. When I’m gone, I’m gone. Same thing as amateur wrestling; when I won the world championships in Olympics, I left and I never went back. Same for pro.”
Angle also discussed TNA’s UK tour thus far, British Boot Camp, King Mo, memories of his career and more. The audio interview is available here.
– Kid Kash is no longer affiliated with TNA Wrestling, company sources confirmed to PWInsider.com. His profile was removed from the roster page of ImpactWrestling.com on Wednesday, with the veteran wrestler subsequently claiming on Twitter that he’s still affiliated with the company.
– TNA star Kurt Angle announced on Twitter today that he has reached a legal settlement with Wafi Wahidi, the man Angle claims scammed him out of thousands of dollars in connection to the development of various mobile apps for his Angle Foods company:
A fair Settlement Has Been Completed With @WabaSocial. The Settlement Ends Any Dispute With @WafiWahidi and @RealKurtAngle
– TNA’s official website is running a Wrestler of the Year poll, with the winner to be announced on the next live Impact on January 3rd. The five nominees are:
* Jeff Hardy
* Austin Aries
* Bobby Roode
* James Storm
* Bully Ray
– On Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, it was revealed that the 1/3/13 promos that have been airing on TNA television are indeed for the return of Sting. Here’s the latest video:
– TNA’s official German Facebook page just announced today that TNA’s current TV contract with Sky Deutschland expires on January 1st and has not been renewed.
Both sides are in talks, but if a deal is not made, there will be more TNA iMPACT Wrestling or live pay-per-views on Sky Sport and Sky Select in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
– Speaking to English digital publication Hooked on Wrestling, TNA Wrestling star Kurt Angle labeled WWE Hall of Famer and former rival “Stone Cold” Steve Austin “underrated.”
“One of the most underrated wrestlers – not entertainers, but wrestlers – in the history of professional wrestling,” said Angle of the 6-time WWE Champion. “He changed the face of wrestling. I wrestled him in my first year in the business, and I knew nothing. Austin carried me through every match that we had.”
– In Robbie E’s latest blog for Spike.com, the former TNA Television and X Division Champion offers tips on how to be a “bro.” One vital requirement concerns grooming.
“To be a proper bro, one must be properly groomed. Which consists of trimmed nose hairs, ears regularly cleaned, and so on,” wrote E. “And if I have to tell you to use a ton of product in your hair and keep your tan perfect, you should probably just stop reading now, because you’ll never be a bro.”
E has also re-launched his official website, Robbie-E.com.
– Kurt Angle, who suffered a groin injury Sunday at Final Resolution, offered an update on his health status Wednesday.
“Injury Will take a few Weeks,” Angle noted of his recovery time from the injury to a follower. He later wrote, “Hey my friends. Got a little Injury. But, I Will Be Back Very Soon. Thanks for Your tweets. Much Love. TNA! God Bless.”
– Official Knockouts referee Taryn Terrell is now officiating matches featuring men. This week’s featured match on TNA Xplosion features the former WWE Diva as the referee for match pitting Hernandez against Joey Ryan.
– TNA Wrestling has released a video previewing this Thursday’s live Impact Wrestling on SpikeTV.
