– Matt Morgan has recently been in talks with WWE about returning to the company.
– Evan Bourne continues to tease his upcoming return to the ring. This week, he tweet Brad Maddox asking him if he needs another high flyer on RAW.
– Former WWE Diva Kharma returned to the ring at last Friday’s SHINE 12 iPPV event. She has lost a lot of weight and debuted a new look for her match, where she defeated Mercedes Martinez.
– Former TNA star Matt Morgan’s first match since leaving the company has been announced. Morgan will wrestle former WWE Superstar John Morrison on October 12th for Family Wrestling Entertainment in Brooklyn, NY. Morrison is the reigning FWE Champion. For ticket information, visit FWEWrestling.com.
– Colt Cabana is heading down under for a stand-up comedy tour of Australia later this week. He’ll be teaming up with Australian comedian Brendon Burns for the shows, which will run from 8/2-8/25 at the Stand comedy club in Edinburgh. Here’s the official promotional teaser:
“The world’s number eight cult comedian. We could declare it an unforgettable evening, but let’s face it, this is really only going to appeal to a very select few of you. If you like wrestling and/or either one of these guys, you probably can’t believe this is happening! …If not? You honestly might want to go elsewhere. Adults only! Special guest comics and wrestlers! Bring your own matches!”
Speaking of Colt Cabana, he responded to his Twitter followers asking if he is TNA’s #August1Warning mystery man. Clearing up any possible confusion, he tweeted:
– Former TNA star Matt Morgan tweeted on Sunday night that he’s getting back into acting. In response to one of his Twitter followers asking “What’s next?” for the 7 footer from Fairfield, CT, Morgan replied:
@kennyw922 at the moment just finished reading for 7 parts in various upcoming tv shows.
– WWE is reportedly interested in former TNA star Matt Morgan, according to PWInsider.com. Morgan worked for the company (developmental and main roster) from 2002-2005.
Comment Below and tell us if YOU think WWE should sign Matt Morgan.
– WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will be doing an Ask Me Anything (“AMA”) chat on Reddit.com today at 1pm EST.
– Sheamus tweeted the following about Vince McMahon welcoming The Ultimate Warrior back to WWE on Twitter yesterday:
Matt Morgan’s six-year tenure with TNA Wrestling has come to an end as he was granted his release from the organization on Tuesday, according to ProWrestling.net. He requested his release from the company one month ago, which was well known among his colleagues.
Morgan was excluded from the annual Bound for Glory Series and had only appeared on television once in the last month—losing a Four-way Bound for Glory Series Qualifying Match to Magnus on the June 13 episode of Impact Wrestling.
On the April 25 episode of Impact Wrestling, Morgan confronted Hulk Hogan and offered his services to take out the Aces and Eights, in exchange for being named the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary. After having his request denied, Morgan faced Sting the following week in a Number One Contender’s Match for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Sting won after locking Morgan in the Scorpion Deathlock. Morgan subsequently disappeared from television before returning for the Bound for Glory Series Qualifying Match.
Despite repeated vows to capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, Morgan’s plan ultimately did not come to fruition. His lone runs with gold were two TNA World Tag Team Championship reigns. He stated in an interview last year of his desire to become World Champion, “Winning the Tag Team Championship is ultra-important and anyone who has those titles should have a lot of pride in wearing them. But at the same time, I got into the pro-wrestling for one reason and that’s to be the top dog and to be the World Champion. I know it sounds like a saying or a catch-phrase but this is what I truly believe. I came out of my mom’s womb a future world’s champion. And I’m sick of waiting.”
– TNA star Matt Morgan is opening up about his past drug abuse. In response to a fan who said they enjoyed his infamous Youtube video where he “shoots” on nerdy Internet wrestling fans, Morgan says he was not exactly in the best state of mind when the interview was shot:
@rickywrath truth be told I wasn't even taking about the fans. I was talking about the here today gone tmrw sites way back in '06-07.
– Hulk Hogan continues to tease an upcoming return to the ring. He tweeted the following about his new series training regimen, noting that he’s getting ready to transform his body for one “last time around the block”
Perfect timing to start serious training again,last time around the block for me so this is gonna be really intense,transformation time. HH
– TNA star Matt Morgan is disputing online reports that TNA gave away a lot of tickets for last week’s live Impact Wrestling tapings from Corpus Christi, Texas. Morgan tweeted:
Gotta love FALSE Internet reports on our ticket sales for TV. Corpus like ALL other TV thus far, have not been "papered". Thnx2ourGREATfans!
– Canada’s Rogers Cable company will be removing Spike TV from its standard tier of programming and moving it to the “Classic” tier, which is available to far fewer subscribers.
– Following the departure of Sarita from TNA Wrestling this week after the organization elected not to renew her contract, Rosita may be gone as well.
According to PWInsider.com, multiple TNA sources say the New York native is gone from the promotion. The same website, however, says she has not been released, according to another source. Unlike Sarita, her profile remains on the company website.
Rosita, whose real name is Thea Trinidad, has yet to confirm whether she has parted ways with TNA. Rather, she posted the following on Twitter after rumors of her departure surfaced online, “Wow.. The love and support I’ve received from you all is so heartwarming ? thank you! So grateful to have such passionate fans! #TEAMTMT.”
– TNA Wrestling has released a video previewing tomorrow night’s Genesis match featuring “The Icon” Sting vs. D.O.C. from Aces and Eights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MI_tICuvuo
– A match for an upcoming episode of TNA Xplosion was taped following Thursday’s live Impact Wrestling as TNA World Tag Team Champions Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez faced Joey Ryan and Matt Morgan.
– The court hearing in for Scott Steiner’s lawsuit against TNA that was scheduled for Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee was cancelled. No word why, but it’s possible the two sides are working out a settlement.
– The cape that Matt Morgan wore on Thursday’s Impact Wrestling was actually a cape that Hulk Hogan wore back int he 1970’s when he was a heel. Hogan has been working closely with Morgan in recent weeks to help fine-tune his character’s presentation.
– This weekend’s TNA live events schedule includes:
* 11/30 in Bemidji, MN
* 12/1 in Fargo, ND
* 12/2 in Grand Forks, ND
Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, and Bully Ray are among the talents scheduled to appear .
– Morale behind the scenes at Thursday’s Impact Wrestling was great, with talent feeling better about the company’s creative direction than they have in a long time.
TNA has been focusing on long-term booking as of late, mapping out creative plans several months in advance. Television scripts are being written weeks in advance, with tweaks being made when necessary.
Two new matches were announced for TNA Wrestling’s Final Resolution pay-per-view event during Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast.
Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez will defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Joey Ryan and Matt Morgan. Plus, Bully Ray will do battle with Austin Aries.
Here is the updated card for Final Resolution, which takes place December 9 in Orlando, Florida.
* TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match – Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Bobby Roode
* Bully Ray vs. Austin Aries
* AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels
* TNA World Tag Team Championship Match – Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez (c) vs. Joey Ryan and Matt Morgan
* TNA Women’s Knockout Championship Match – Tara (c) vs. Mickie James
MDI Secures IMPACT WRESTLING Superstars and Experiential Prizes for Exciting New Instant Games
MDI Entertainment, LLC, a subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, has signed an agreement with TNA Entertainment, LLC, dba IMPACT WRESTLING, to offer lotteries branded instant games featuring some of the biggest names and most recognizable imagery in professional wrestling today.
The agreement makes the names and likenesses of more than a dozen wrestling superstars, as well as the logos, marks and artwork of IMPACT WRESTLING, available to lotteries worldwide.
Stars like Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Sting, Jeff Hardy, Matt Morgan and Bobby Roode are included, and can be used on instant tickets and promotional materials, as well as in television and radio commercials. They also are available for personal appearances and public service announcements to promote the good causes lottery games support.
“We are extremely pleased to have secured this license, and to be able to give lotteries so many noteworthy options to promote games associated with it,” said Steve Saferin, President, Properties Group and Chief Creative Officer for Scientific Games.
“In addition to providing the biggest names in wrestling today, IMPACT WRESTLING is offering extraordinary marketing support and incredible prize opportunities. This gives lotteries a chance to reach and inspire wrestling fans – including the often elusive 18-34 age group – in very powerful ways.”
IMPACT WRESTLING President Dixie Carter stated, “Working with MDI provides a new marketing platform for IMPACT WRESTLING to connect with our fans through the state lottery programs. Our fans avidly invest in our superstars as they appear on SPIKE TV every Thursday and travel the country on the IMPACT WRESTLING LIVE WORLD TOUR.”
IMPACT WRESTLING will work with MDI and lotteries to create 2nd Chance prizes that can include merchandise and trips where winners will be treated to a live taping of the IMPACT WRESTLING television show, a backstage tour and a chance to meet wrestling talent. “IMPACT WRESTLING” is a weekly, two-hour show appearing during prime time on SPIKE TV.
A “Contract-for-a-Day” prize also can be created, in which the winner will be given the trip, plus an on-camera cameo role to be included in an IMPACT WRESTLING pay-per-view live show.
– Matt Morgan made surprise appearances at both TNA live events in Arkansas this weekend. After attempting to pick a fight with Rob Van Dam Friday night in Hot Springs despite being an attendee, Morgan tried to get involved at Saturday’s show in Fort Smith. Following this, he wrote, on Twitter: “Fort Smith AR. Statement? MADE! Biggest one? Still to come!”
Morgan was acknowledged on Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling as footage of a recent house show run-in was broadcast. Bruce Prichard then lectured D’Lo Brown on the incident and warned him to not let it happen again.
– Dark Angel (a/k/a Sarita in TNA Wrestling) has returned to Mexico following a near two-month excursion in Japan for all-women’s league STARDOM’s 5 STAR Grand Prix Tournament. Despite recent friction between the veteran wrestler and CMLL, she will return to the promotion this Tuesday for their show in Guadalajara.
While she was away, CMLL falsely advertising her for multiple shows in an effort to hurt her reputation. Organization officials were reportedly displeased with the wrestling standout for taking it upon herself to work a two-month tour for the Japanese promotion when their official women’s wrestling partner in the country is REINA. It was also claimed that Dark Angel arranged her own deal with the Japanese promotion, thus shutting out CMLL of financial compensation.
– Taryn Terrell noted on Twitter that she will appear on tonight’s episode of Treme on HBO. The program airs at 10:00 p.m.
– With Matt Morgan back under contract with TNA and making unadvertised run-in appearances at TNA live events, there are still no plans for him to be brought back to television in the immediate future.
– The 9/20 TNA live event from Salem, Virginia drew 450 fans. The following night’s day from Winston Salem, North Carolina drew 650 fans.
– TNA’s new UK reality show is said to be the pet project of Jeremy Borash, with JB missing live events over the weekend to work on the project.
– Ticket sales are looking strong for next month’s TNA Bound For Glory pay-per-view, which takes place on Sunday, October 14th from Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The venue will be set up for around 3,800 fans.
– On Monday’s RAW, we saw Ryback destroy the set of The Miz’s new talk show, MizTV. Ryback is scheduled to fight The Miz at next month’s Hell in A Cell pay-per-view.
– It came out this week that Matt Morgan signed a new contract with TNA approximately two months ago and has been “working” fans with his cryptic online posts about which company he should sign with. We can confirm that Matt Morgan did have some talks with WWE back in June, but ultimately decided to stay with TNA.
– The Big Show, who has been off television since SummerSlam in August, will be returning to action at this weekend’s live events. Big Show has been on vacation after requesting time off.
Show was originally scheduled to return next week, but is returning early to fill in for John Cena, who is recovering from elbow surgery.
– Matt Morgan crashed another TNA live event this weekend from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Morgan came down through the crowd during a match between Miss Tessmacher and Tara, arguing with Atlas Security before taking a seat at ringside.
Later in the evening, Morgan got physical after the Jeff Hardy vs. James Storm match ended in a time limit draw. As fans were chanting for the match to continue, Morgan leveled referee Brian Stifler with his Carbon Footprint kick. Morgan got a huge pop from the crowd and was removed from the arena by security.
– Kurt Angle worked the Wilkes-Barre, PA Show and wrestled twice, despite an injury to either his knee or his hamstring (there are conflicting reports on this). Angle worked a short match against Daniels early in the night and teamed with AJ Styles and Austin Aries in the main event against Bobby Roode, Daniels and Kazarian. AJ Styles and Austin Aries helped Angle to the back after the match and Angle did not take part in the post-show autograph signing event, as advertised.
Angle tweeted on Monday:
Hey Friends, Sorry I Havent Much. I Am Not Injured as badly as You Have Heard. I Will Continue Wrestling As Planned. Miss U all. Much Love
Don’t expect the likes of Alex Shelley, Velvet Sky, Devon, Angelina Love or even Hall of Famer Ric Flair to pop up in a WWE ring anytime soon. According to Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer, Vince McMahon’s company is steering clear of any and all recently affiliated TNA Wrestling talent while the two grappling organizations do battle in court.
On May 23, 2012, TNA Entertainment, LLC. filed a lawsuit in Nashville, Tennessee against World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and Brian Wittenstein, a former office worker for both organizations. TNA accused WWE of obtaining secret contract information in an attempt to poach their talent in violation of Tennessee’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
Wittenstein, who worked for TNA Wrestling for three years, was terminated on August 3, 2011. At that time, he entered into a Separation Agreement and General Release, preventing him from disclosing certain confidential TNA information. TNA alleges that Wittenstein violated the agreement by downloading confidential TNA trade secrets and providing that information to WWE after joining the organization months later. Although WWE fired Wittenstein and alerted TNA officials as to the disclosure of the information, TNA claims WWE waited three weeks to notify them and has used the confidential information, including data regarding wrestler compensation, to recruit contracted TNA talent to work for WWE. Wittenstein’s contract with TNA had specifically ordered that he not share confidential information about the organization after his employment ceased.
Matt Morgan, who had teased joining WWE since concluding his contractual obligations to TNA in June, resurfaced at Saturday’s house show in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dressed in street clothes, Morgan entered the ring through the crowd and laid out Robbie E. Meltzer wrote on the F4WOnline.com message board regarding Morgan’s apparently renewed partnership with TNA, “I guess that tells you about that TNA lawsuit now since they didn’t take Morgan.”
It has also been speculated that Alex Shelley and Ric Flair could wind up in WWE now that both individuals are free agents. Meltzer, however, reveals that the organization is not negotiating with either talent despite being legally able to.
“Nobody is talking about Shelley and they won’t even officially talk to Flair even though his non-compete is up,” he wrote.
Following the lawsuit filing, it was reported that TNA was looking to cut costs by restructuring talent contracts when they expired. This ploy appears to have led to the respective departures of Devon and Velvet Sky since both talents reportedly left the organization due to their financial terms not being reached on new deals.
– Matt Morgan, who has not appeared at a TNA Wrestling event since June, made a surprise appearance at Saturday’s house show in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Dressed in street clothes, Morgan entered the ring through the crowd and laid out Robbie E.
Following the appearance, Morgan posted another one of his trademark cryptic messages on Twitter, stating, “All 2nite really meant was I’m tired of “just be patient Matt”, being patronized & most of all being SOLD DREAMS! The real question is……Who am I with? Time will tell. ‘Til then,Tick-Tock….”
Hours before the appearance, Morgan teased appearances in either Chicago, Boston and Pennsylvania, where Ring of Honor, WWE and TNA Wrestling are respectively holding events this weekend: “Lots of great wrestling this weekend. Chicago………Boston…….Pennsylvania……. Who knows where il show up!”
– On Twitter, Hulk Hogan was asked about the status of Devon and the TNA Television Championship. He responded, “I have no idea, I asked Dixie and she said she’s working on it brother.”
Devon is no longer affiliated with TNA Wrestling after his contract expired in late August.
– Multiple news outlets reported last week that two men were charged with stealing TNA Wrestling’s World Heavyweight Championship belt and a replica prior to a live event in Ottumwa, Iowa on Aug. 18 while a stagehand was unloading props from his truck. Sources affiliated with the wrestling organization told TMZ.com that the World Heavyweight Championship stolen was valued at $6,000.00 and ultimately returned. According to a person close to the chief of the Ottumwa Police Department, multiple claims made to both the department and TMZ.com were not true.
TNA Wrestling officials falsely said the belt was valued at $6,000.00. The department later received proof of purchase from Wildcat Belts, which showed that its stated value was exaggerated. According to WildCatBelts.com, a real copy of the belt is valued at $2,750.00. TMZ.com also reported that the belts were returned to the wrestling organization. Ottumwa Police Department are actually maintaining possession of the belts as evidence pending trial. Also, the belts weren’t stolen from the equipment truck when a stagehand turned away momentarily as reported. The police source says TNA didn’t truthfully disclose how the property was stolen to TMZ.com as to not appear foolish in the story.
– Matt Morgan deleted a series of Twitter messages he posted on Twitter Monday revealing his displeasure with TNA Wrestling. He had written, “hey man, what can I say? SOMEONE in that lockeroom had to stand up to Tna front office and call them out for over-promising, & under delivering. So when my deal was up I said ‘why not me?!’ Accountability. Who says u can’t go home again? Lol.”
– WWE Superstar Christian is scheduled appear for TNA Wrestling once again later this year at Bound For Glory to induct Sting into the TNA Hall of Fame. Christian appearing on a second TNA PPV this year is part of WWE’s agreement with TNA to allow Ric Flair to appear at WWE’s Hall of Fame earlier this year.
TNA was pushing for Ric Flair to be the person to induct Sting, but Flair’s recent issues with TNA and TNA’s ongoing lawsuit with WWE will likely prevent that from happening.
– As for Ric Flair’s status with TNA, his 4-month no-compete clause is up on September 6h. At that time, he’ll technically be free to work for other wrestling promotions. That said, the ongoing TNA-WWE lawsuit might keep Flair out of WWE for a few more months. WWE stated in court that they had no interest in any employees currently or recently under TNA contract – and signing Flair immediately would conflict with that position.
Former TNA star Matt Morgan tweeted a cryptic picture on Tuesday night that shows a jail cell with the words “Tick Tock” written on it. The text reads,
‘I don’t care about making an “IMPACT” I’m ready to start a WAR.”
As you can see below the “R” in “WAR” is reversed .. Flipping the word “WAR” with the backwards ‘R’ reveals the word .. “RAW.”
Chris Masters appeared on Inside The Ropes radio Thursday night. Highlights are as follows:
How he finds Vince McMahon backstage: “He’s above and beyond everybody. Even The Hulkster. He’s the guy that put this stuff together. They’re an odd family. They are good at business. People who are business savvy tend to come off a little cold. They don’t get too close to the performers. My first meeting with him was very cool. I told him in due time, I could definitely be a huge player for WWE.”
Who came up with Masterpiece gimmick: “Dr Tom Prichard changed my name to Masters. My friend Matt Morgan and I were sitting one day and he said Masterpiece. I brought it to Jim Cornette and he ran with it, WWE ran with it. I joke that I give 10 per cent of my salary to Matt Morgan. I’m just kidding. He always ribs that he’s responsible for it but I tell him he just had one moment of brilliance (laughs).”
On working with John Cena in 2005/06: “That guy had some heavy fists. Carlito and I used to joke around that in tag matches with Cena and HBK, we would literally rush to get to Shawn Michaels, because he wasn’t as heavy with hands and the other guy would be stuck with Cena and you’d be potato’ing each other left and right. I remember at the Elimination Chamber I felt like I was in a real shoot fight. It’s not that he’s bad, he just gets really fired up and he’s got big hands, he doesn’t realise his own strength.”
Thoughts on his TNA dark match and ending up working for Dixie: “I think there’s a good chance I’ll be working them in the future. It’s a different vibe to WWE. I like that Dixie Carter makes herself accessible to the talent. Jason Hervey came up to me after the match with a camera and just let me talk, it wasn’t some writer giving you stuff to say. There was a good reaction from the crowd. All in all it turned out as good as it could go. I’ve planted all the seed I could. It’s up to them if they want to capitalise, if not I’ll just go about my way.”
To hear the rest of the interview where Masters discusses how he broke into wrestling, his first WrestleMania, working a program with HBK, The WWE’s Wellness Policy and the infamous Pec Dance gimmick, head over to www.facebook.com/theinsidenetwork.
– Chavo Guerrero, who made his TNA Impact Wrestling debut last Thursday, has been added to the roster page on ImpactWrestling.com. The website refers to WWE by name in his bio, “Chavo’s amazing career has included WCW, WWE and now TNA!”
Meanwhile, Ric Flair, Velvet Sky and Matt Morgan remain listed on the roster page even though they are no longer affiliated with the organization. TNA stated in a court filing against WWE that Flair’s contract was terminated in May. Sky stated last week on Twitter that she was granted her release. Morgan fulfilled his contractual obligations and tweeted last week that he would never return to TNA.
– Infrequently seen TNA Knockout Mickie James appears in Bucky Covington’s new music video. TNA Impact Wrestling has released a video going behind-the-scenes of its filming.
http://youtu.be/UbPJDIYXyVI
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, former TNA Knockouts Velvet Sky and Angelina Love will appear at Sideline Sports at the Middletown Market 128 Dolson Ave. Middletown, New York on October 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
– Matt Morgan continues to suggest via Twitter that he will not return to TNA Wrestling after reportedly fulfilling his contractual obligations with the organization last month. When asked when he will return to Impact Wrestling, he replied, “I’d say somewhere in between NEVER and EVER.” He then responded “sooner vs. later” in regards to appearing on any television show again. In response to a potential return to WWE, he once again wrote, “Tick-Tock…..”
– Lending credence to rumors of Velvet Sky’s apparent departure from TNA Wrestling, all references to the popular female grappler have been removed from the company website’s Knockouts photo gallery page. Her profile was removed from their roster index Wednesday but returned later after news of the edit surfaced online. She is advertised to appear on iPPV for Pro Wrestling Syndicate on September 14, which would indicate that she is no longer affiliated with TNA since contracted talent are prohibited from appearing on broadcasts for other wrestling organizations.
– None of the wrestlers used in the X Division Tournament to determine a new TNA X Division Champion have reappeared since Destination X. According to the Wrestling Observer, their status currently remains uncertain.
– Former TNA star Murphy turns 38 years old Wednesday.