– 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.
– 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
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.”
Sports Vibe TV recently published a new video interview with TNA Knockout Brooke Tessmacher. The official description for the video, which you can view above, reads as follows:
“TNA Knockout Brooke talks about her career move to wrestling from modelling, what is coming in the near future and who her toughest opponent has been.”
Check out the Tessmacher interview above. The same YouTube channel will have new interviews with Robbie E. and James Storm in the coming days
TNA Wrestling To Make Major Announcement at London Film & Comic Con (LFCC)
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING will make a major announcement for British and Irish fans at the London Film & Comic Con (LFCC).
The announcement will be made as part of a special TNA panel Q&A for fans and media at the event at 5pm on Saturday July 12 in Earls Court 2.
Taking place from July 11-13 at Earls Court, LFCC is Europe’s largest signing event with 100,000 people expected through the doors.
Fans will be able to meet TNA Superstars James Storm, Magnus, Brooke, Robbie E, Al Snow and Jeremy Borash throughout the weekend.
As well as the best that TNA has to offer, London Film & Comic Con will also star Carrie Fisher, Stan Lee, John Hurt, Michael Madsen, Jenna Coleman and guests from Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, The Walking Dead, Battlestar Galactica, Lord Of The Rings, Heroes and more – giving fans the chance to meet more than 100 idols of the big and small screen.
– TNA stars Robbie E. and Brooke Tessmacher are among those on the cast of the CBS reality show “The Amazing Race.” The event officially kicked off in New York City on Saturday. For more information, visit CBSPressExpress.com.
– Speaking of reality shows, former “Survivor” cast member Jonny Fairplay, as well as WWE Hall Of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts are advertised for the May 31st and June 1st West Coast Wrestling Connection events near Portland, Oregon. For more information on that, visit WestCoastWrestlingConnection.com.
TNA Executive Vice President John Gaburick has been announcing on Twitter the names of various TNA stars who have signed multi-year contract extensions.
After initially announcing James Storm as the first signee, he’s since posted similar announcements for Gunner and Robbie E.
TNA’s official website is teasing that more contract extension announcements will be made soon.
The following are results from TNA’s “World Cup” pay-per-view taping, which took place on Saturday night in Orlando, Florida.
The teams were selected by way of a draft. The teams were as follows:
Captain Eric Young with Bully Ray, Eddie Edwards, Gunner and ODB.
Captain Kurt Angle with Davey Richards, Mr. Anderson, Sanada and Madison Rayne.
Captain Ethan Carter III with Jessie, Robbie E., Magnus and Gail Kim.
Captain Bobby Roode with James Storm, Kenny King, Samuel Shaw and The Beautiful People.
Qualifying Matches
– Eddie Edwards def. James Storm
– The Bro Mans def. Mr. Anderson and Sanada
– Gail Kim def. Madison Rayne
– Eric Young def. Bobby Roode
– Kurt Angle def. Magnus
– Angelina Love def. ODB
– Ethan Carter III def. Davey Richards
– Bully Ray & Gunner def. Kenny King & Samuel Shaw
TNA World Cup Finals
(The remaining two teams, captained by Young and EC3, met in elimination matches.)
– ODB def. Gail Kim
– Robbie E. def. ODB
– The Bro Mans def. Eddie Edwards
– Bully Ray def. Jessie
– Robbie E. def. Bully Ray
– Gunner def. Robbie E.
– Magnus def. Gunner
– Eric Young def. Ethan Carter III via DQ.
– Eric Young def. Magnus to win the TNA World Cup for his team.
– Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling, the final show of 2013, averaged 1.354 million viewers, according to tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. This is up nine percent from the week before.
It is the program’s largest viewership since the “No Surrender” edition of Impact Wrestling on September 12, 2013. The final rating has yet to be released.
– Promoting tonight’s TNA Wrestling live event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one-half of the TNA World Tag Team Champions, Robbie E, spoke to Mix Philadelphia’s Brian Soscia. During the interview, E discussed his first wrestling memories, why he decided to join the professional wrestling industry, how to become successful, his hair, Jersey Shore and more. (Listen)
– Chris Sabin continues to play up his heelish character on social media. He wrote to Velvet Sky today on Twitter, “Look, you know I love you. I just need you to show me you love me by doing exactly what I tell you. #thatsreallove.”
As seen Thursday night on Impact Wrestling, Madison Rayne made her return to TNA Wrestling. Establishing herself as a babyface, the four-time TNA Women’s Knockout Champion saved ODB from an attack from Lei’D Tapa and her former partner in crime, the reigning TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Gail Kim. The 27-year-old is back on the company website’s official roster and has also been talent roster for January’s tour of Europe.
Those scheduled for the tour are Magnus, Rockstar Spud, Kurt Angle, Bobby Roode, Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, Ethan Carter III, Bully Ray, Mr. Anderson, James Storm, Gunner, Samoa Joe, Chris Sabin, Austin Aries, Eric Young, Joseph Park, Robbie E, Jessie Godderz, Zema Ion, Gail Kim, Lei’D Tapa, Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, ODB and Sam Shaw.
Brooke, Knux and Manik have been pulled from the announced lineup. Other notable admissions include AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, Sting, Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez.
-The autobiography for the new TNA Impact Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion, AJ Styles, has been pushed back once again. The book, which was originally scheduled for an October release, has been pushed back to “early 2014,” according to a recent press release. For more information, visit VIPInkPublishing.com.
-The latest edition of the TNA Impact Wrestling podcast has been released. This week’s podcast features clips from the Kurt Angle Hall Of Fame banquet from last Saturday, as well as interviews with the new TNA Impact Wrestling World Tag-Team Champions, Bro-Mans, as well as the new TNA Knockout’s Champion Gail Kim. You can check out the new TNA Impact Wrestling podcast below:
-The new TNA Impact Wrestling broadcast team member that debuted on Sunday night, Gil Corsey, works for WDRB-TV in Louisville, Kentucky. Corsey has some prior pro wrestling experience, as he worked for the Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) broadcast team.
-Norv Fernum, who worked against Ethan Carter III during the Bound For Glory pay-per-view, is a regular for the Pro Wrestling Guerilla (PWG) promotion as Peter Avalon.
-Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath, who appeared at the Bound For Glory event on Sunday, is friends in real-life with Jessie Godderz of the BroMans tag-team. BroMans won the TNA Tag-Team Championships from James Storm & Gunner on Sunday night.
-There has been no discussion about whether or not Hulk Hogan will be appearing at the “Bound For Glory” pay-per-view on Sunday evening. Based on talk within TNA, Hogan has yet to sign a new contract with the company and is not scheduled to take part in the big pay-per-view event.
-As noted previously, Ethan Carter III (EC3) is scheduled to make his official debut in some form or fashion at the “Bound For Glory” show.
-Current Mr. Olympia Phil Heath is scheduled to appear on the “Bound For Glory” countdown special that airs on Spike TV. Heath is slated to work some sort of comedy segment with Robbie E. and Jesse Godderz.
TNA Impact Wrestling star Robbie E. recently spoke with the What Culture website about a number of wrestling-related topics. Below are highlights from the interview.
On his big break in TNA: “I had a tryout with them through Terry Taylor, and at the time they were looking for…the Jersey Shore Show was big, I’m from there: you’re sitting here…look at me! So they kind of just put two and two together and when they said “OK let’s see if he can get it done in the ring” and fortunately enough for me it clicked, they offered me a contract the day of my try out match.”
On sorta-kinda being in the movie “The Wrestler”: “You know, I was but I wasn’t. Here’s a little secret; I was planned to be in it, my name was listed and everything, but I actually ended up getting an overseas tour. So like a few days before, I wasn’t able to be there for filming, but somehow my name still ended up in the credits, so I kind of got the best of both worlds.”
On his best moments during his X-Division and T.V. Title runs: “Honestly, the highlights were of course the days that I won them: beating Jay Lethal for the X-Division title at Turning Point and then one year later beating Eric Young for the Television Title. But through my TV Title run I had great runs with RVD and D-Von, I got some wins…which I haven’t gotten in a while.”
Multiple TNA Impact Wrestling stars have taken to Twitter to comment on the “#August1Warning” mystery-man angle that TNA started on their official YouTube channel on Friday.
Below are some of the tweets.
Mickie James:Who’s behind #August1Warning? Kinda Creepy! http://youtu.be/hrFJKHhVQPE they really didn’t have 2 go thru all that 2 surprise me! #BirthdayMonth
Eric Young:I am actually worried and intrigued about tWho is behind #August1Warning? http://youtu.be/hrFJKHhVQPE
Robbie E:Who is behind #August1Warning? http://youtu.be/hrFJKHhVQPE
Kenny King:Who is behind #August1Warning? http://youtu.be/hrFJKHhVQPE what the hell is this?
Mike Tenay:Who is behind #August1Warning? http://youtu.be/hrFJKHhVQPE
Christopher Daniels:Looks like someone else other than #BadInfluence has a problem with TNA! #August1Warning http://youtu.be/hrFJKHhVQPE
For those who missed it, TNA posted a teaser video on YouTube on Friday that featured a silhouetted man with a modulated voice issuing an official warning to TNA. The mystery man promises to reveal himself at the Thursday, August 1st edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV, thus, “#August1Warning.”
– Thursday’s Independence Day edition of TNA Wrestling’s Impact Wrestling scored a 0.78 cable rating, its lowest since Thanksgiving. This figure is down fifteen percent from the prior week’s program, which drew a 0.92 cable rating.
While Thursday’s show was the lowest-rated episode of the year, it was not the least-watched episode of the year. That distinction still belongs to the May 30 show, which bottomed out when the program changed timeslots. Thursday’s show averaged 1,053,000 viewers over the course of two hours, a drop-off of five percent from the week before.
On a positive note, Males 12-34 and Males 18-34 drew six-week highs.
– This week, Robbie E asks Gail Kim three questions for a chance to get on “The List.” However, all she has to do is answer one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LhQtMEgta4
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, TNA Wrestling road agent Al Snow will appear at Fandomfest Comic and Toy Expo at the Kentucky International Convention Center 221 S 4th St. Louisville, Kentucky and The Galthouse Hotel & Convention Center 140 North Fourth St. Louisville, Kentucky. The event take place July 26-28.
– Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling featured the return of Suicide to TNA as he defeated Joey Ryan and Petey Williams to earn a spot in Ultimate X Match at Slammiversary for the X Division Championship against titleholder Kenny King and Chris Sabin. The character was portrayed by TJ Perkins, who participated in tryout match for the organization last September shortly after requesting a contract release from Ring of Honor.
In the past, Suicide has been portrayed by Christopher Daniels, Kazarian and Kiyoshi. The character was initially introduced in 2008 to promote the TNA iMPACT! video game.
– Shark Boy returned to action Thursday after resurfacing on Impact Wrestling to convince “Cowboy” James Storm to select him as his tag team partner for the World Tag Team Championship Match against Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez at Slammiversary—the spot went to Gunner. Following the broadcast, he faced Robbie E in a match taped for an upcoming episode of TNA Xplosion.
Another Xplosion match was taped as TNA World Tag Team Champions Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez faced Aces and Eights members D.O.C. and Knux.
In a dark match result, a wrestler announced as Amish Abe defeated veteran independent wrestler Jason Static.
– Alex Shelley, who parted ways with TNA Wrestling one year ago this week, turned 30-years-old on Thursday. He is currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is a former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
– Former WWE developmental talent and Tough Enough competitor Ivelisse Velez will compete on this Thursday’s live episode of Impact Wrestling.
Sunday on Twitter, Velez issued this message: “The Huntress will be making an IMPACT this Thursday! #KnowWhatIMean #TuneIn #OnTheRise.”
PWInsider.com has since confirmed that she will participate in the “Gut Check Challenge.”
It will not be her first match inside a TNA ring as she competed in a dark match against Tara in October
– TNA has released the following video previewing Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast, which is centered on a confrontation between World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy and Bully Ray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEmv8XS7BNw
– Robbie E announced on Twitter Sunday that he will appear at this Thursday’s Ohio Valley Wrestling event in Louisville, Kentucky. “Guess who’s going to be at Davis Arena this Wednesday February 27 th ? The one and only Robbie E from tna !!!” he wrote.
– TNA Wrestling has announced that they will hold an Impact Wrestling taping in Jonesboro, Arkansas on March 28 at the ASU Convocation Center. Tickets for the event go on sale next Tuesday at the box office, www.tickets.astate.edu and at 870-972-ASU1.
The Mayor of Jonesboro, Harold Perrin is holding a special event on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Comfort Suites, 3404 Access Road at 6 p.m. with Matt Morgan.
– Taryn Terrell, who Robbie E has dubbed the “hottest Knockout ever,” attempts to make “The List.” She must answer three difficult questions to get the chance to hang out with E.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pagtmOCVRUQ
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Rob Van Dam will appear at Hollywood Book & Poster table at the Los Angeles Comic Book & Science Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center 700 West 32nd St. Los Angeles, California, this Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced on Twitter that ReACTION will be returning later this month via YouTube. The documentary-style originally aired on Spike in 2010.
“Happy to announce that “ReACTION” will be returning mid-February as an online series on YouTube – more details coming soon to our website!” she wrote.
– This week’s episode of The List with Robbie E and Robbie E comes from the United Kingdom and features British Boot Camp stars The Blossom Twins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNhsVoRXxEo
– Sparingly seen TNA Knockout Madison Rayne turns 27-years-old Tuesday.
– Christy Hemme and Miss Tessmacher were unable to appear Wednesday’s TNA Wrestling live event in Glasgow, Scotland due to sickness. They will also miss Thursday’s show in Nottingham, England.
Hemme wrote on Twitter, “”I’m so sorry to Glasgow & Nottingham, Dr wont clear @BrookeTess and I cuz we got the flu buggy, we are staying behind while bus drives on :(.”
Tessmacher added, “Glasgow Scottland… I am so so bummed to be sitting n the back w/@hemmepowered… very sick with a bad stomach bug. Fingers crossed we r better.”
– Joseph Park appears on this week’s episode of The List with Robbie E and Robbie T. The synopsis reads, “There are some people who are not only “not on the list”, but stand no chance of getting on the list in the first place. Joseph Park fits into this category….. besides… no self respecting bro wears a fannie pack…seriously bro.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VJpkqIJHdg
– Rockstar Spud, who won TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp on the UK’s Challenge TV to earn a contract, has been added to the TNA roster page.
– Monday’s Raw saw the return of the Ric Flair to WWE, who presented the “Superstar of the Year” Slammy Award and encountered CM Punk, Paul Heyman and The Shield. The legendary grappler’s former TNA Wrestling colleagues, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, weighed in on his return via Twitter.
“Great to see Flair doing his thing again,” Hogan wrote shortly after his Raw appearance.
Bischoff noted that he is “Very happy for Ric Flair.”
– ODB attempts to make “The List” in this week’s show. The synopsis states, “Robbie E has ODB waiting for her spot on the list and being in the holiday spirit he decides to make a deal with ODB.”
– MMA fighter and TNA star King Mo Lawal recently returned from The Netherlands, where he was training for upcoming Bellator MMA fight in January. Mo will be focusing on MMA and won’t be training wrestling at OVW until after his next fight.
– Speaking of OVW, TNA stars Al Snow, Douglas Williams and Kid Kash are all regularly working at the developmental territory to train wrestlers and promote local OVW live vents.
– Here is the latest episode of “The List” with Robbie E and Robbie T: