ImpactWrestling.com has released the official preview for this Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.

Preview Thursday’s can’t-miss IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, as the road to the March 18 “Victory Road” Pay-Per-View event continues!

– Sting dropped a bombshell on Bobby Roode this past week, telling the World Champion that he would battle him at “Victory Road” on March 18! Roode’s actions have unleashed Sting’s maniacal side – and now “The Icon” wants revenge. He doesn’t want the World Title – he just wants to annihilate Roode! How will Roode react this Thursday on IMPACT? Rumors have it that Roode is reaching out to several Impact Wrestling superstars to see if they will join with him to ban together against Sting.

– Also on the broadcast, Kurt Angle has requested time to address the reason why attacked “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy two weeks ago and cost him his chance at regaining the World Championship against Bobby Roode. No doubt, Hardy will be in attendance, and will be watching closely!

– “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles has been vocal about the alliance between Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, and on Thursday’s broadcast on SpikeTV, he wants answers! AJ will face Daniels and Kazarian in a Gauntlet Match and rumors have it that Styles has a challenge to make to Daniels and Kazarian that will end the mystery once and for all! Tune in and find out!

– In Knockouts action, Madison Rayne will battle ODB, as Rayne prepares for her upcoming Knockouts Championship match against Gail Kim at “Victory Road”

– Plus, in X Division action, Zema Ion gears up for his X Division Title shot at “Victory Road” as he faces off against Shannon Moore on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast

All this and much more this Thursday on SpikeTV at 9/8c!

Kurt Angle, who has not competed in an amateur wrestling contest since winning the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, admits it’s highly unlikely that he will make the United States team for the 2012 event.

“I had to give it a lot of thought, it didn’t just come out of my head and say I’m going to try for Olympics,” Angle told BBC Sport of his upcoming trial in April. “What are my chances of making the team? Slim to none, I’m not going to lie but, if I can look you in the eye and say I have a chance that’s more than enough. That’s worth training five hours a day to get ready for the trials and for the biggest event of all, the Olympics.”

He added that family members are concerned for his health.

“I’ve had my ex-wife Karen tell me you’re not fit for it. I’ve had family members say they’re concerned about my neck, my mother’s always worried and even some of my brothers aren’t taking me seriously.

“Last time they were with me everywhere I went, now they’re like ‘nah he’s not really doing it’. I’ve been doing it by the grace of God as I don’t have near the support I had back then.”

The full interview is available here.

– Eric Bischoff officially welcomed Dave Lagana to TNA with the following message posted on Facebook & Twitter:

“Welcome David Lagana! Had the opportunity to work with David in WWE and learned to respect his knowledge of story structure and detail.”

As we reported on Tuesday, Vince Russo and TNA have officially parted ways. Early reports indicated that Lagana was replacing Russo, however this is not entirely true. Lagana exact role in TNA is unknown at this time. While he will be contributing to the creative process, he is not assuming Russo’s job. It’s believed that Eric Bischoff will assume more power behind the scenes now that Russo is finally out.

– Spike TV president Kevin Kay was at the Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando on Monday and threw a party for the TNA wrestlers and crew after the show.

– Kurt Angle wrote the following on Twitter about Jesse Sorensen, stating that doctors gave him a 1-year recovery time:

“I Visited Jesse Sorenson.He Is Moving His Arms and Legs.Drs’ say 1 Year recovery. I Say 4 Months.Jesse Is a Hero and Fighter. “I’ll Be Back””

Angle clearly means well here, but he should probably stay away from setting unrealistic goals for Sorensen, who is going to have a very long, difficult road to recovery.

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has decided against appearing for TNA Wrestling at Monday’s Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando, Florida, according to FOXSports.com.

Rosenhaus Sports president Robert Bailey, who represents Pierre-Paul, told FOXSports.com reporter Alex Marvez that the Giants star had not signed off on the deal and therefore will not appear for the wrestling group. Both TNA Wrestling and Spike TV believed a deal was finalized when the news was disclosed Saturday to the sports news website.

“He declined because he is exhausted,” Bailey said.

Pierre-Paul was scheduled to have an in-ring confrontation with Kurt Angle at the event.

TNA Wrestling issued the following press release regarding the Lockdown pay-per-view taking place on April 15, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee at Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Advertised talent includes Hulk Hogan, Sting, Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, Bobby Roode, Jeff Hardy, James Storm and AJ Styles. Tickets for the event go on sale on Friday via Ticketmaster.

“Lockdown” in April is coming to Nashville: Tickets On Sale Friday

Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling has announced Nashville will be home for “Lockdown 2012” presented by Direct Auto Insurance. The annual live, all steel cage pay-per-view extravaganza is scheduled for Sunday night, April 15, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. This will be TNA Wrestling’s first televised event from Nashville since 2007. Tickets for “Lockdown 2012” start at $15 and go on sale Friday, January 27 at all Ticketmaster outlets or ticketmaster.com.

“Lockdown 2012” is promised to be the most brutal pay-per-view event of the year featuring every match contested inside a 15-foot reinforced steel cage, making it the only all-steel cage pay-per-view event in professional wrestling. The TNA World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line and two teams will compete in a “Lethal Lockdown” match for an unforgettable night of action. TNA Wrestling began in Nashville in the summer of 2002 and this June marks the tenth year anniversary. Fans can celebrate 10 years of body-slams with TNA’s weekly flagship show, IMPACT WRESTLING airing every Thursday night on Spike.

The reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Bobby Roode, leads the invasion of IMPACT WRESTLING stars including Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair along with Tennessee native “Cowboy” James Storm, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Rob Van Dam, the lovely and lethal Knockouts and more.

“TNA Entertainment couldn’t be more pleased to announce one of our most exciting events of the year “Lockdown” will be live from Nashville on April 15th. To be able to offer the fans of our hometown such a powerful night of explosive action is thrilling,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “We are going to celebrate 10 years in Nashville with one of our biggest pay-per-view events to date.”

“As the presenting sponsor for ‘Lockdown 2012,’ we’re thrilled about the return of TNA to the Nashville market,” stated Direct Auto Insurance Senior Vice President of Marketing Peter Tahinos. “Our corporate headquarters is located here in Nashville as are many long standing Direct Auto customers who are also loyal wrestling fans.”

Tickets for “TNA Lockdown 2012” go on sale Friday, January 27 at 10am, at all TicketMaster locations, www.TicketMaster.com, the Nashville Municipal Auditorium box office or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000

“TNA Lockdown Fan InterAction” will be taking place on Saturday, April 14th with details to be announced soon. “Fan InterAction” is a popular fan friendly event giving fans a chance to meet many of the stars of TNA IMPACT WRESTING.

TNA will also be offering a limited number of travel packages that will include lodging and tickets to Lockdown. Full details of the travel package offers are available at www.shoptna.com.

– Ric Flair says he’ll be on stage to accept his second WWE Hall of Fame induction, but some people in the industry are speculating TNA has the legal right to sue WWE since they are using a contracted TNA performer to draw ticket sales and DVD sales for the Hall of Fame ceremony. There is still no word yet as to whether TNA will pursue any legal action, but it’s possible TNA could try to get a cash settlement out of WWE in order to use & promote Flair.

• Pictures From Ric Flair’s Bachelor Party – WOOOO!!

– TNA has confirmed that Hulk Hogan, Sting and Kurt Angle will be appearing at all of the company’s shows in England later this month, including the first-ever Impact from the UK.

– After the UK Impact tapings later this month, TNA has no plans to tape on the road at least through the end of May.

– The preliminary PPV buyrate for TNA Genesis is around 10-12,000 buys, which is on the high end of what TNA events usually do.

– Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey’s production company recently had a new sitcom picked up by Nick At Night. “Daddy’s Home” will star actor Scott Baio of “Charles In Charge” fame.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced Monday on Twitter that the annual Lockdown pay-per-view event will be held April 15, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Municipal Auditorium.

“Happy to announce the Lockdown PPV will be held in NASHVILLE at Municipal on Sunday, 4/15! I’ll announce a pre-sale code for you guys 1st!” she wrote.

Lockdown is the first televised event announced for the United States in 2012.

— Kurt Angle has changed his Twitter handle to twitter.com/realkurtangle.

— TNA Wrestling has announced live events for Kansas City, Kansas at Memorial Hall on Thursday, March 2, 2012, Salina, Kansas at the Bicentennial Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 and Dodge City, Kansas at the United Wireless Arena on Saturday March 4, 2012. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

Kurt Angle claims WWE was trying to sign him for the Royal Rumble but that he was remaining loyal to TNA.

Angle tweeted in response to a fan question about whether he’d be a surprise entrant:

“Nope! I’m Happy Where I Am. No Rumble for Me!!!!”

“My Loyalty Is With Tna. Wwe Is Knocking On My Door, But I Won’t Answer.”

Do you believe Angle’s tweets? Would you want to see him back in WWE? Hit up the comments below.

— ImpactWrestling has announced that Jeff Hardy will be getting another shot at Bobby Roode’s World Heavyweight Championship this Thursday on Impact Wrestling in a rematch from Sunday’s Genesis pay-per-view.

In another Genesis rematch, “Cowboy” James Storm will square off against Kurt Angle in a match to determine the #1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship.

Matt Morgan and Crimson are advertised to compete this Thursday against Rob Terry and Television Champion Robbie E.

— Sarita stated Wednesday on Facebook that she will be wrestling at this Friday’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre event at Arena Mexico. The TNA Knockout has not competed since taking a scary fall during a two out of three falls tag team match at the same venue on November 22, 2011. She slipped on the top rope while attempting to dive and fell flat on her face onto the wooden floor. She was placed on a stretcher while the match continued and subsequently hospitalized.

TNA star Kurt Angle appeared on the Busted Open radio show this weekand spoke about a number of topics, including 2011 being a “subpar” year for TNA, Samoa Joe’s lack of push, a major last-minute change that took place at Bound For Glory, who he sees as the next crop of TNA main eventers and more. Here are some highlights of what Kurt Angle told Busted Open about:

2011 A “Subpar” Year for TNA: “I think that 2011 was a subpar year, I think We did a lot of things right and a lot of things wrong. The most important thing I would say is the lack of communication within the writing and creative team. When you have a written show and you present that to everybody and then they start changing things and it becomes a watered down version of what the writer wanted in the first place. Now you don’t know which way to go. We do have a lot of chefs in the kitchen. I think that is the hardest part for our company because when Vince Russo is writing the show and you have Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff and a few other people and other TNA writers changing it up the last second which I don’t disagree with what Hogan says, I agree with him 100 percent.

“But we need to regroup earlier, maybe a week earlier and get it done, change it up, make sure we have the right changes so that we can keep going with the story the right way. So I think 2011 was a confusing year, so this is what we are going to capitalize on in 2012. We are not going to make the same mistakes. I think Hulk Hogan will get with to Vince Russo quicker, I think Eric Bischoff will get with Vince Russo quicker. We will get the show written, get it done a week earlier instead the day of the show, and changing it up. It was just very frustrating. Because I’m a little bit of part of everything in TNA and I watch what’s going on and sometimes I get a little frustrated when I see what Vince Russo is trying to do and I see what the outcome is.”

Last Minute Changes At Bound For Glory: “We literally had a change in 2011 at Bound For Glory right before the match in the main event. In other words, somebody was supposed to win and it got turned to me winning that night. It worked out for the better, I’m not going to lie to you. So the change was good, but literally we didn’t hear about it until that night and me and Bobby Roode was like What?! I’m winning?! I have a torn hamstring and I can’t even wrestle.”

Samoa Joe’s Lack Of Push: “We have not done Joe justice. Whether it had to do with an attitude problem an attitude change. In wrestling you have to play by the rule book. Joe was a little bit of a rebel. I think that might have hurt his cause. I believe Joe is rational. I think we can still make Joe a big star again. I think Joe is a full time main eventer. I think we need to do it now because if we don’t do it now it will never happen.”

TNA’s Next Main Eventers “AJ Styles was there for a while. And then we pulled him down which I didn’t agree with. Now we got AJ up there, Jeff Hardy is here, Robert Roode, James Storm. We’re starting to get to a point where these guys are going to start full time and Kurt Angle and Sting can dwindle off and retire. That’s what we need to happen and that’s what’s happening now and I’m glad because I don’t want to leave TNA and leave an open spot there. I cant wrestle forever. As a matter of fact I am already talking retirement. It’s about making guys and putting them in my spot and making sure they are secure there before I leave.”

Busted Open radio can be heard every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on Sirius 92 and XM 208 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Don’t miss Thursday’s TNA IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, featuring the aftermath of the “Genesis” Pay-Per-View as the road to the February “Against All Odds” begins! If you can’t watch it on Thursday night, make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the Total Nonstop Action!

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– Bobby Roode is STILL the World Heavyweight Champion, having beaten “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy in controversial fashion at Sunday’s Genesis, earning a disqualification by attacking the referee! The World Champion told us he plans to open Thursday’s broadcast to discuss his PPV win over Hardy! HOWEVER, what will Sting have to say about what happened? Will the General Manager Sting deal with Roode and his actions?

– How will “Cowboy” James Storm react to losing to Kurt Angle at Genesis? Obviously, Storm will be hellbent on revenge after what went down at the PPV, with Angle taking the easy way out to beat his nemesis after a low blow and kick to the head! Will Storm unleash hell on Angle this Thursday night? Plus, is Kurt Angle now next in line for another shot at the World Title?

– Also at Genesis, “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan and Crimson retained the Tag Team Championship against Samoa Joe and Magnus – but the champs won’t get any rest! Morgan and Crimson are scheduled to compete this Thursday on IMPACT!

– Plus, sources tell us AJ Styles is coming to IMPACT and he wants answers from Kazarian about what he did last week! Also, will Eric Bischoff speak out concerning the return of his son, Garett Bischoff?

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c!

source: ImpactWrestling.com

The New York Post has published an interview with TNA Wrestling star Kurt Angle discussing his Olympic aspirations. The interview includes discussion of his professional wrestling career, and he explains how he made the transition between the professional and amateur ranks.

“It was a complete career adaptation. It wasn’t a step above, going from amateur wrestling to pro wrestling, it was going from real wrestling to sports entertainment,” Angle said. “A lot of people put me up there as far as saying he’s one of the best ever. And I’ve only been wrestling for 11 and a half years. I think that Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, guys who have put 30 years into it deserve it. Me getting that praise after only 11 years—it’s not fair.”

Though Kurt Angle has not competed inside a WWE ring in over five years, his impact is still seen today. The Olympic Gold Medalist, however, does not appreciate his moves and style being replicated.

“When Jack Swagger copies my ankle lock and Randy Orton does my Angle Slam, it’s disrespectful,” Angle said. “I didn’t come up with the Ankle Lock, Ken Shamrock came up with the Ankle Lock but I waited until he retired to do the Ankle Lock. That company has no respect for me.”

Despite his displeasure with WWE grapplers using his moves, Angle is grateful that he has been able to parlay Vince McMahon’s vision for him into a successful career in both WWE and TNA Wrerstling.

“I love Vince McMahon. He came up with the Kurt Angle character,” Angle said. “He ran with it and then I was able to run with it. I thank him for the opportunity he gave me. Vince McMahon was one of my best friends, period. Now I’m loyal to Dixie Carter.”

— Jillian Hall stated in her newly released shoot interview with RF Video that while she has had no official discussions with TNA Wrestling officials, Tara had been persuading her to join the Orlando based organization. Hall, however, does not feel she is in shape to continue wrestling full-time since she gained a lot of weight due to her pregnancy last year.

— Sky Deutschland in Germany announced that they have extended their contract to carry TNA Wrestling programming for another year. The deal includes airing Impact Wrestling on Sky Sports and pay-per-view events on Sky Select.

— TNA Wrestling has released new T-Shirts featuring Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, Velvet Sky, ODB and more.

— Samoa Joe faces Christopher Daniels in a Maximum Impact tournament match on this week’s episode of TNA Xplosion. The winner of the eight-man tournament will receive a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship during TNA’s tour of the U.K. in January.

source: PWInsider.com

Three matches have been announced for this Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling on Spike.

* In the main event, Jeff Hardy will team up with James Storm and Abyss to take on World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, and Bully Ray.

* In tag team action, Knockouts Tag Team Champions Gail Kim and Madison Rayne will defend the straps against Mickie James and Traci Brooks.

* The finals of the Wild Card Tournament will be held to determine who challenges Matt Morgan and Crimson for the World Tag Team Championship at Genesis as AJ Styles and Kazarian take on Samoa Joe and Magnus.

World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode and Jeff Hardy will go face-to-face one last time before their match at Genesis.

SRG Films’ upcoming film Crossface retelling Chris Benoit’s descent into double murder and suicide will feature actors portraying his wrestling peers.

“Eddie [Guerrero] is obviously very important to the story,” Sarah Coulter tells WorstPreviews.com, who has already written the first draft of the script. “Triple H, Kurt Angle, they’re all there, but it’s early and things can still change.”

Regarding whether the film will be a biopic, Coulter says, “Chris had a remarkable career. You take a look at his time in Japan and with Stu Hart, and you realize that you’d need more than one movie to tell the entire Chris Benoit story. Ultimately, it’s about the 2007 murders/suicide, so we had to pick and choose the right moments in Chris’ career that may have been factors in his downfall.”

Coulter adds several actors are under consideration for the lead role and that an official casting announcement will be made soon.

Don’t miss Thursday’s TNA IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, as the road to the January 8 “Genesis” Pay-Per-View event continues! If you can’t watch it on Thursday night, make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the Total Nonstop Action!

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– The main event of the broadcast will feature Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle taking on Rob Van Dam

– The Knockouts Championship will be on the line as Gail Kim defends against Mickie James

– The Wild Card Tag Team Tournament continues with two semi-final matches:

Match 1: Eric Young & ODB vs. Samoa Joe & Magnus

Match 2: Abyss & Scott Steiner vs. AJ Styles & Kazarian

– In addition, it will be the final match in the Best-Of-3 Series between Anthony Neese and Zema Ion, with the winner earning a shot at the X Division Championship

– Also scheduled to appear are World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, IMPACT WRESTLING General Manager Sting, “Cowboy” James Storm and many more!

– Plus, more big news on the upcoming January 8 “Genesis” Pay-Per-View event

source: ImpactWrestling.com

— Alberto Del Rio has been removed from WWELiveTour.com’s talent line-up for Monday’s Raw SuperShow in Chicago, Illinois and the entire Raw Holiday Tour. He was advertised for three-way bouts for the WWE Championship with CM Punk and The Miz.

Del Rio suffered a groin injury during the main event of Monday’s Raw SuperShow and is being given time off to recover. He is not expected to be sidelined for too long.

— FoxNews.com has published photos of wrestling stars before they were famous including The Undertaker’s high school yearbook photo. Others highlighted include The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Bill Goldberg, John Cena, Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, Jesse Ventura, Randy Orton, Vince McMahon, Randy Savage and Stephanie McMahon.

— Maria Kanellis said on Afterbuzz she will be wrestling Jillian Hall at an independent event next year. Kanellis is advertised to face Tara in her return to the squared circle on February 25, 2012 for New York City based promotion Family Wrestling Entertainment.

source: F4WOnline.com

For the eighteenth year, Power Slam magazine presents The PS 50, which ranks the 50 best-performing wrestlers in the industry. Rankings in The PS 50 are basted on grapplers’ in-ring showings over a 12-month period (December 1, 2010 through November 30, 2011).

1. Hiroshi Tanahashi
2. Randy Orton
3. Davey Richards
4. Prince Devitt
5. Shingo Takagi
6. Christian
7. Kurt Angle
8. C.M. Punk
9. Kota Ibush
10. Takashi Sugiura
11. KENTA
12. Go Shiozaki
13. PAC
14. Akira Tozawa
15. Hirooki Goto
16. Eddie Edwards
17. BxB Hulk
18. Tetsuya Naito
19. AJ Styles
20. Shinsuke Nakamura
21. Masaaki Mochizuki
22. Bobby Roode
23. Rey Mysterio
24. Kenny Omega
25. Sheamus
26. Antonio Cesaro
27. CIMA
28. Katsuhiko Nakajima
29. Masato Yoshino
30. Chris Hero
31. Dragon Kid
32. Jay Briscoe
33. Ricochet
34. Mark Briscoe
35. Kevin Steen
36. Yuji Nagata
37. James Storm
38. Dolph Ziggler
39. Daniel Bryan
40. El Generico
41. Alberto Del Rio
42. Ryusuke Taguchi
43. Austin Aries
44. Jeff Jarrett
45. Kofi Kingston
46. Bully Ray
47. Christopher Daniels
48. The Miz
49. John Morrison
50. Kenny King

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update, which you can read in its entirety over at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:

Scouting Talent at FCW Last Week: “My most recent trip to FCW in Florida was good. WWE has several, potential main eventers that are being groomed as we speak. No one candidate sticks out head and shoulders above the rest but there are many athletes that I feel will be in the hunt for a WWE roster spots sooner than later… I hope to get more involved in WWE developmental as it’s an exciting time with which to be involved in the process. Nothing is more important for WWE’s long term success than developing tomorrow’s stars and then being ready to fully utilize them once that they are called up to the big time.”

Kurt Angle’s Olympic Hopes: “Is Kurt Angle serious about trying to make the US Olympic Wrestling team? Absolutely serious according to Jerry Brisco. Kurt visited Jerry Brisco while Jerry was in a Pittsburgh hospital recently and re-enforced such with Brisco with who Angle is still close. Jerry was a coach/mentor to Kurt during Angle’s WWE run. BTW, Jerry is feeling MUCH better after having two stents put in his neck area for two, seperate blockages that had previously gone undetected.”

Chris Jericho & Batista’s WWE Futures: “Do I think that Chris Jericho and Dave Batista have wrestled their last matches in WWE? No…but that may simply be my personal, wishful thinking. Few performers want to walk away when there’s gas left in the tank and with good paydays to be earned. Plus, being on WWE TV is a global marketing tool that furthers other endeavors. Just my two cents and, again, because I like both men’s work it may be simply wishful thinking on my part.”

Tonight, Direct Auto Insurance and TNA Wrestling present Final Resolution live on Pay-Per-View and online at TNAOnDemand.com from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Eight matches have been announced for the event.

World Heavyweight Championship 30 Minute Ironman Match
AJ Styles vs. (c) Bobby Roode

Steel Cage Match
“The King Of The Mountain” Jeff Jarrett vs. “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy
(Karen Jarrett will be handcuffed to Sting at ringside)

The Olympic Gold Medalist vs. The Cowboy
Kurt Angle vs. “Cowboy” James Storm

Challenge Match
Christopher Daniels vs. Rob Van Dam

Women’s Knockout Championship Match
Mickie James vs. (c) Gail Kim

World Tag Team Championship Match
Matt Morgan and Crimson (c) vs “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero and Devon

X Division Championship Match
Austin Aries (c) vs Kid Kash

Television Championship Match
Robbie E (c) vs Eric Young

Vice President of the Knockouts division, Karen Jarrett, joined Diva-Dirt.com earlier this week on DD360 ahead of this Sunday’s Final Resolution pay per view.

When asked how she manages to be such a great heel and good on the microphone, Karen reveals she did not have prior acting experience — rather she was always a big fan of professional wrestling.

She says: “My entire life I’ve been a wrestling fan. From the age of 10 years old, I started watching wrestling with my grandfather and have just been a huge fan. I was a fan of Miss Elizabeth, Sherri [Martel] and I just loved the business.”

“Even when Kurt and I got married, he had never watched professional wrestling and when he started talking about getting into it, we were watching it and I would instruct him because I knew who everybody was. I was just very into it and love it.”

Karen also addresses recent drama on Twitter with fans pitting her and WWE’s Vickie Guerrero against each other.

She says: “To be honest, I think Vickie is an incredible woman. She was a great wife and she’s a great mother. As for the fans and the marks out there, or the people who get behind their little computer, you throw out some bait and they jump on it and I think people ran with it. It is what it is. But I have great respect for Vickie and her raising her daughters and everything that she has done.”

The full interview is available here.

James Storm

James Storm appeared on Busted Open, which airs every Monday and Wednesday on Sirius 92 and XM 207 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Highlights from the interview are as follows:

Storm on his short TNA Title reign: “Like you said, it was a little bitter sweet, but it kind of makes me want it more now to go after it. I wasn’t really after the world title to say. It was kind of Bobby Roode’s spotlight moment with him and Kurt Angle and all this. I wasn’t told that I was actually getting a heavyweight title until like 2 hours before the show started. So, and to become the new world champion, it was a great moment, and one that I’ll never forget.”

• VIDEO: James Storm Wins The TNA World Title

Storm on Kurt Angle: “To me, without a doubt, Kurt Angle is the greatest wrestler to ever set foot in a ring, in a wrestling ring. I mean, there’s no one in professional wrestling that can out-wrestle Kurt, and always when I’m trying to put a story together, that’s one of the things that I put in there; that I cannot out-wrestle Kurt. I’m not gonna’ try it. I won’t go in there and try to take my fist and stick it to the back of his head as hard as I can. So, if it’s done right, I think me and Kurt can definitely be one of the feuds of the year.”

Storm on tweeting: “To me, it’s one of those things that I really wasn’t thinking I guess because I was so overwhelmed of me winning the world title that I don’t think…I don’t want to say that didn’t care that I got in trouble. But at the time,, that was my moment, and already you had all kinds of spoilers out saying that I won the world title, and all this. So, they already knew that I won the world title basically. So, I’m going to just say, “Hey, tune in this Thursday to see me win the world title, and enjoy this moment with me.” Instead of saying, “Hey, tune in to see if I win the world title.” It was the biggest ratings, and that’s kind of what I was trying to get at is, yeah I Tweeted, I won the world title, but I didn’t Tweet out how I won it, what happened during, after the match or anything like that. It was Tweeted, “Hey, tune in because I won the world title.” Even though I kind of ruined the surprise for some people, but like you said, I think people wanted to tune in to see it happen.”

Storm on Bobby Roode’s character: “My character…I have character. I have a character that a lot of people can relate to. A guy who drinks beer, and goes out hunting, and fishing, and just hangs out at the bar, and has a good time. Like you said, Walmart, Nascar, it’s all that character fit into one, which looking at Bobby Roode, who is Bobby Roode? What exactly is Bobby Roode besides being jacked? I mean, I don’t know what definition of a character you’d give him? Growing up, wrestling had characters, and I think that’s what wrestling today is missing. They don’t really have the flashy characters they did back then. You had the Jake Roberts, and you had The Macho Man. Even Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior. All of those guys were different characters. It seems like today all the wrestlers are almost the same. They’re like the same build, and they wrestle the same, and all this. So, it’s kind of hard to find a unique character.”

Preview IMPACT WRESTLING On Thursday Night On SpikeTV

Don’t miss Thursday’s huge TNA IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c as the road to the December 11 “Final Resolution” Pay-Per-View continues, just days before the epic event! The main event will feature AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy vs. World Champion Bobby Roode and Jeff Jarrett!

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– The main event of the huge broadcast features World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode teaming with “The King Of The Mountain” Jeff Jarrett to battle “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles and “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy! Styles will challenge Roode for the World Title at Final Resolution, while Hardy faces Jarrett in a Steel Cage Match! What will happen when these four athletes battle just days before the Pay-Per-View? Don’t miss it!

– The GM (General Menace) “The Icon” Sting is back, and he’s asked TNA President Dixie Carter to appear on Thursday’s broadcast to discuss the ongoing situation with the World Champion, Bobby Roode. After Roode physically assaulted Dixie Carter just a few weeks ago, what will the TNA President have to say when she’s face to face with Roode again? Tune in and find out!

– Also on the broadcast, “The Cowboy” James Storm has promised to return – despite dealing with the effects of a concussion – to confront his attacker, Kurt Angle! Will all hell break loose when Storm and Angle are in the same ring again? Can Storm keep his anger in check when faced with the superstar that cost him his shot at regaining the World Title?

– In action on the broadcast, Samoa Joe battles Abyss, Knockouts Tag Team Champion Madison Rayne faces Mickie James, plus much more!

source: ImpactWrestling.com

— Kurt Angle stated on Twitter that he will be participating in the United States Olympic wrestling trials that will be held in Iowa City, Iowa this April to determine the team that will go to London, England for the 2012 Olympics.

“I’m Already Qualified for final Olympic trials In June. But I Will Official Enter Olympic trial Qualifier Tourney in April in Iowa! I’m Ready,” he wrote.

Angle revealed his Olympic hopes this past June. He told The Sun, “I’ve set my sights on this. There are certain goals I had in my life and I’ve done them. I won an Olympic gold medal, but last time I did it I didn’t really enjoy it. I didn’t have fun. It was more of a job and there was a lot of pressure on me. This time I’m going to soak it in, enjoy everything I do from the training to going to London and making the Olympic team, enjoying it and remembering the Olympics instead of putting it out of my mind.”

— Gail Kim has responded to criticism that she repeats herself in interviews regarding her views on WWE.

“I’m not gonna not answer questions people ask me,” she says. “Why don’t you ask them why they ask a question that’s been answered?”

— Sting is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Inside Wrestling.

Don’t miss Thursday’s huge IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c – a special Thanksgiving holiday edition as the road to the December 11 “Final Resolution” Pay-Per-View event continues!
Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– What will be the reaction to Kurt Angle revealing that he was the person that attacked “Cowboy” James Storm and cost him his shot at regaining the World Heavyweight Championship? Both Angle and Storm will appear on Thursday’s broadcast, and “The Cowboy” is hellbent on revenge! Based on what happened, TNA officials have already announced the following match:

– Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING will feature an Eight-Man Elimination Match with “Team Storm” (AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam and Mr. Anderson) vs. “Team Angle” (Bobby Roode, Jeff Jarrett, Bully Ray and Christopher Daniels). No doubt, both Storm and Angle will be involved – will all hell break loose in the Impact Zone?

– In a rematch for the World Tag Team Championship, new titleholders Crimson and “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan will defend against former champions Mexican America (Hernandez & Anarquia)

– Plus, Knockouts VP Karen Jarrett has announced that there will be the 1st ever “Thanksgiving Thong Thunder” match in the Knockouts Division when Velvet Sky teams with Tara and Brooke Tessmacher to take on Winter, Angelina Love, and Madison Rayne. What does Karen Jarrett have planned for this contest? Tune in and find out!

– All this and much more on Thursday’s special Thanksgiving holiday edition of IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV at 9/8 as the road to the December 11 “Final Resolution” Pay-Per-View event continues!

source: ImpactWrestling.com