Samoa Joe announced on Tuesday that he is parting ways with TNA Wrestling after 9 years with the company. Based on what we’re hearing from sources in TNA, it was a very amicable split and the door is open for them to do business again in the future.
Joe’s decision to leave TNA was very similar to that of AJ Styles. Like Styles, Joe had been with the company since its early days and it all came down to money. TNA today is a very different company than it was several years ago, operating with a drastically reduced budget. TNA was unable to match the money that Joe had been previously making. The negotiations were ‘friendly’ the entire time, but in the end, TNA simply couldn’t offer him enough to stay.
Joe will have no problem finding work elsewhere. The question is, where does he go next? WWE, Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Lucha Underground and working the indy scene are all viable options for the former TNA World Champion. TNA does not have ‘no compete’ clauses in their contracts, so Joe could theoretically show up in another promotion as early as this weekend.
Triple H is said to be very interested in giving Joe a shot at NXT. Vince McMahon does not have much interest in him, but there’s already talk of giving him a tryout at the Performance Center in the upcoming weeks/months. Paul Heyman, the advocate for WWE’s reigning, defending Heavyweight Champion of the World, took notice of Joe’s announcement –
Hmmm RT @SamoaJoe I have decided to part ways with @ImpactWrestling. My very best to them moving forward, and my eternal thanks to the fans.
Longtime TNA performer Samoa Joe announced via social media on Tuesday that he has officially ended his tenure with the promotion.
“I have decided to part ways with Impact Wrestling,” said Joe. “My very best to them moving forward, and my eternal thanks to the fans.”
TNA executive John Gaburick also commented on Joe’s departure, writing, “On expiration of Samoa Joe contract, TNA and Joe have agreed to part ways. Joe will always be a member of our family & we wish him the best.”
I have decided to part ways with @ImpactWrestling. My very best to them moving forward, and my eternal thanks to the fans.
The following are the main news items coming out of this week’s TNA Impact Wrestling:
– Samoa Joe vacated the X Division Title to sell his injury angle. A new champion will be determined next week on Impact in a four-way match featuring Low Ki vs. Tigre Uno vs. D.J. Zema vs. Mannik.
– James Storm & Abyss captured defeated The Wolves to capture the TNA Tag Titles. The match was set up when Davey Richards refused to join James Storm’s offer to join his heel faction, which led Storm to cash in his Feast or Fired Briefcase. Abyss is now part of Storm’s group.
– Gail Kim and Taryn Terrell will face Havok in a three-way match for the Knockouts Title next week.
– There will be a confrontation between TNA World Heavyweight ChampionBobby Roode and Bobby Lashley next week.
– Tommy Dreamer will face Bram in a Hardcore match next week.
– TNA posted the following video of Samoa Joe being injured during the TNA Tag-Team tournament on this past Wednesday’s edition of Impact Wrestling:
http://youtu.be/X0K4YgSz_jw
– Below is an excerpt of a new Brooke Tessmacher interview where she talks about her goals and desire to have a shot against Havok:
“I have been gone this past year and can’t wait to prove myself again. It was something that I wanted to be was [a wrestler]. I wanted a chance to prove myself. I think I‘ve done that very well. Every time I wake up I think, ‘Wow, I’m a two-time champion. I did that. I know if I wanted to do it again, I could.’ It’s a dream come true.”
“I hope in January to be on the U.K. tour. I’m looking forward to working with Jessicka Havok. I would love to see what I can do in the ring against her. She is quite scary, obviously. I think I have mental prep from Gail Kim and Lisa [Marie Varon, a.k.a. Tara]. I also would love to have a few matches with Taryn Terrell. She is doing great and a good friend of mine, but I would love to see how we would do in the ring together. I think we could put on something amazing together.”
Check out the complete interview at MiamiHerald.com.
– Speaking of Tessmacher, she and Robbie E. finished fourth place on this week’s edition of “The Amazing Race” on CBS, which allows them to advance to next week.
Kurt Angle has announced that Angelina Love, Taryn Terrell and Madison Rayne will square off in a triple-threat match on this Wednesday’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling to determine a new number one contender to Havok’s TNA Knockouts Championship.
It’s also worth noting that Velvet Sky vs. Havok for the Knockouts Championship has been confirmed for this Sunday’s TNA Bound For Glory pay-per-view, which means there will only be two title matches on the company’s biggest show of the year, as Kaz Hayashi vs. Low Ki vs. Samoa Joe for the X-Division Championship is also confirmed.
Apparently many people within TNA are confident that the company will continue to operate after their Spike TV deal expires heading into 2015. The main issue right now is what kind of company they will be. Some are under the impression that they will become a bare-bones skeleton company, while others feel they will be a top-level indie style company such as Ring Of Honor. There are others, however, who feel TNA will continue running as they have been, budget-wise.
There is some talk that claims more permanent budget cuts will be brought on by TNA’s new deal, some that could really change TNA as we know it.
The fact that top-level talents such as Bully Ray and Samoa Joe were not offered any kind of significant deals is considered a strong sign that TNA is not willing to bank on the idea that next year with a new network is a guarantee.
As noted earlier, Low Ki was crowned the new TNA X-Division Champion at last night’s Impact Wrestling tapings from Bethlehem, PA.
*Spoilers* 4 Weeks Of Impact Wrestling Tapings Results
According to a source in TNA, the reason Samoa Joe dropped the title to low key is because he was injured at the first batch of tapings on Tuesday night. Joe attempted to work through the injury, but he further aggravated the situation and it was soon clear that he would need time off.
At this time, there’s no word on the nature of the injury nor how long Joe will be out of action.
Samoa Joe vacated the TNA X-Division Championship at the Impact Wrestling television taping tonight in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania because he was reportedly not medically cleared to compete. As a result, a fatal four way was held later on in the taping to crown a new X-Division Champion, which Low Ki won.
Also at tonight’s TNA tapings, Taryn Terrell defeated Havok and Gail Kim in a triple-threat match to become the new Knockouts Champion.
Finally, James Storm and Abyss defeated The Wolves to become the new TNA Tag-Team Champions.
We will have a full spoiler report from the taping up tomorrow morning.
AJ Styles – The Missing Matches” Available Now On DVD & Digital Download
He is one of the most gifted athletes of our generation, who has stolen shows and given breathtaking performances throughout his career. While many of his matches were beneath the bright lights of global television and pay-per-view, some of “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles’ best efforts never saw the worldwide stage, leaving even the most ardent of AJ fans unaware of their existence.
Joe-Dombrowski.com, in association with Sorgatron Media, are proud to present the best of these hidden gems, in the first of our series “The Missing Matches”. You’ll see 11 rare matches, spanning the past decade of AJ’s career, plus a special sit-down interview as AJ addresses the subjects everyone is talking about, as well as “The Missing Questions” – topics no other AJ interview to date has covered!
You’ll see the following rarely seen matches –
AJ Styles vs. CM Punk
AJ Styles vs. Matt Hardy
AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels
AJ Styles vs. Christian Cage
AJ Styles vs. Jeff Jarrett
AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels vs. Jonny Storm & Jody Fleisch
AJ Styles vs. Shiima Xion (aka Zema Ion)
AJ Styles vs. Johnny Gargano
AJ Styles vs. Delirious
AJ Styles vs. Tony Nese
AJ Styles vs. Facade
Over four hours for only $20 on DVD or $15 via Digital Download! Purchase now by visiting Joe-Dombrowski.com and click on “Store”!
You can check out the official trailer for the DVD above.
– In addition to MVP, Samoa Joe, James Storm, The Great Sanada, Ethan Carter III,, Abyss, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Bram and Manik, who were all announced for this year’s Bound For Glory earlier this week, Wrestle-1 has also confirmed that Tajiri and The Great Muta will be in action. Tajiri & Muta vs. James Storm and Sanada is rumored for the show, for whatever that is worth.
– Wrestle-1 executive Jimmy Suzuki recently tweeted the following about this year’s TNA Bound For Glory event, which takes place on October 12th in Tokyo, Japan:
Bound for Glory this year will be great from Tokyo. Gotta basic line up but can't announce yet…#TNA#w_1
First Names Announced for Bound For Glory! Tickets on Sale This Weekend!
One of TNA’s most anticipated events of the year is just around the corner! Bound For Glory will take place on October 12 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo!
Tickets go on sale THIS WEEKEND at the Korakuen Hall Box Office during the scheduled show from Wrestle-1!
Additionally, the following names have been announced for the event:
MVP
Samoa Joe
James Storm
The Great Sanada
EC3
Abyss
Davey Richards
Eddie Edwards
Bram
Manik
And more to be announced soon!
Plus Team 3D will be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame
For the first time ever, TNA broadcasts from the Land of the Rising Sun! Get your tickets this weekend and don’t miss Bound For Glory on Pay-Per-View on October 12!
TNA stars MVP, Low Ki, Samoa Joe and Homicide all appeared together on a special round table edition of The Sam Roberts Show recently to discuss the current state of TNA.
Additionally, the four guys talk about being independent, their time in WWE, the culture of internet fans, training and more.
The following matches and segments have been announced for next week’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling, which is the first show scheduled to air in the new Wednesday time slot on Spike TV, as well as a “Hardcore Justice” themed show.
– Mike Tenay will interview Dixie Carter about going through a table
– Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki for the X-Division Championship
– Six Sides Of Steel to determine the new number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
– In addition to the Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki and Hardys vs. Team 3D vs. The Wolves, TNA has announced a match for the Knockouts Championship with Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love vs. Taryn Terrell vs. Gail Kim at their Impact Wrestling tapings in New York City next week.
– It has been revealed that the person TNA is teasing joining the company soon is female wrestler Jessika Havok. Below is the teaser video that the company is running on television.
Major Matches Announced for #TNANYC Tapings Next Week
TNA Executive Director Kurt Angle has just announced two incredible matches for #TNANYC next week (August 5-7). First on August 5, it will be Samoa Joe vs Low Ki as the two iconic X-Division performers square off one-on-one for the first time in years!
On August 6th, a tag team dream match is scheduled! In a triple threat match, it will be TNA World Tag Team Champions The Wolves facing The Hardys and Team 3D. Last night, The Wolves and The Hardys stole the show at Destination X. When Team 3D joins this battle, we expect a match for the ages!
Already announced for NYC, war hero Chris Melendez is set to make his debut. Japanese legend Tajiri will also be in action. Additionally, Hardcore Justice is scheduled to be taped and will feature the return of Six Sides of Steel!
Many more surprises are planned for these shows AND all fans who purchase tickets will be invited to stick around after each show for a FREE meet and greet with top TNA stars!
The following matches are confirmed for tonight’s Destination-X edition of TNA Impact Wrestling from New York City, New York:
TNA World Heavyweight Championship
– Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Aries
TNA Tag-Team Championships
– The Wolves vs. The Hardy Boys
TNA X-Division Title Qualifiers
Match 1: Low Ki vs. Manik vs. DJ Zema Ion
Match 2: Sanada vs. Brian Cage vs. Crazzy Steve
Match 3: Samoa Joe vs. Homicide vs. Tigre Uno
– Also, Dixie Carter will be appearing with Team Dixie, including Snitsky and Rycklon “Zeke” Stephens.
As noted earlier in the Impact Wrestling taping results, former TNA X-Division Champion Austin Aries surrendered his title in order to receive a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Bobby Lashley at the Destination-X show.
As a result, the title became vacant and was put on the line in a mini-tournament. Samoa Joe, Sanada and Low Ki would all go on to win their qualifying matches, leading to a triple-threat match that will air on the August 7th edition of the show. That match took place tonight, and Samoa Joe won, marking his fifth reign as X-Division Champion.
TNA has announced a ladder match for the X-Division Championship, as well as some celebrity appearances for this Sunday’s Slammiversary pay-per-view event.
– Eric Young vs. MVP (TNA World Title)
– Bully Ray vs. Ethan Carter III
– Samoa Joe vs. Bobby Lashley
– Willow vs. Magnus
– Manik vs. Tigre Uno vs. Crazzy Steve vs. Sanada vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Davey Richards (Ladder Match For X-Title)
– Mr. Anderson vs. James Storm
– Austin Aries vs. Kenny King
– The Von Erich Family to appear
– JUST ANNOUNCED: George Selvie and the Dallas Cowboys to on Sunday
– Kurt Angle to announce next TNA Hall Of Fame inductee
– Make sure to visit SEScoops.com this Sunday night for live TNA Slammiversary PPV play-by-play results coverage.
The following are highlights of a new U.K. Mirror interview with MVP:
Possibly not getting to face Kurt Angle: “Before I signed I said there were three people I absolutely had to work with: Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode and Kurt Angle. Kurt’s out with knee surgery – I don’t know how long he’s going to be out, and I’m not really sure at this stage of his life and his career, how much longer he’ll be with us – I don’t want to speculate. I do know if you lace up a pair of boots, Kurt Angle is someone you want to get in the ring with. If that doesn’t happen, I will truly feel like this has been a missed opportunity for me – selfishly.”
Vince McMahon giving him a chance: “When society wouldn’t give me an opportunity to earn a minimum wage because I was a convicted felon, Vince McMahon gave me an opportunity to earn more money than both of my parents had made in their lives combined and become an international star. [Then]I asked to leave, and he allowed me to go – and said the door’s open when you want to come back. I’m totally indebted to Vince McMahon for both of those opportunities.”
His future: “I still wanna wrestle in Mexico, before all’s said and done. When I’m ready to retire, my goal is to retire in Japan. We’ll see – I don’t know what’s coming down the road. I know for the foreseeable future, if a TNA Title run is on the cards for me, that’d be a huge honor.”
– TNA began running promotional ads on the New York City radio station WFAN this week. WFAN is among the most expensive sports radio stations in the country to advertise on. TNA is running ads for their upcoming television tapings in August, with the following talent listed in the advertisement: Eric Young, MVP, Bobby Lashley, Kenny King, Velvet Sky and “New York’s own Bully Ray.”
– Samoa Joe made his return to TNA on last night’s edition of Impact Wrestling. Prior to Joe returning at the TNA tapings in early May, he had been away since the company’s TV tapings in March.
Just two years ago, TNA had 60 performers under contract to the company, however now they reportedly have 33 signed.
Of the 33 talents signed, the only ones with any real money involved would be Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, Bully Ray, Abyss, Samoa Joe, James Storm, Bobby Roode and Mr. Anderson.
As far as Anderson is concered, it’s believed that he signed a new deal a while back that was considerably lower than the one he had previously.
The TNA stars scheduled for next year’s European tour, which was a solid success for the company earlier this year, are Bully Ray, Magnus, Samoa Joe, James Storm, Bobby Roode, Ken Anderson, Eric Young, Gail Kim, Gunner, Abyss, Ethan Carter III, Tigre Uno and Rockstar Spud. That would lead you to believe that all of those talents are under contract through the rest of 2014 and into 2015.
In the case of Jeff Hardy, whether he’s under contract or not, he can’t be part of the European tour because of his past drug conviction.
The European tour dates are January 29th in Glasgow, Scotland, January 30th in Manchester, England and January 31st in London, England.
The only show announced as a TV taping is the 1/31 date in London, where two episodes of Impact Wrestling are scheduled to be taped. They’ve also announced an Ultimate-X match for the London show.
Superstars Announced for UK 2015 MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 Tour
Bully Ray, Magnus, Samoa Joe, James Storm, Bobby Roode, Mr Anderson and Eric Young are among the international stars announced today for the TNA IMPACT WRESTLING UK Tour in January 2015.
TNA is set to bring huge live events to Glasgow, Manchester and London on this very special seventh anniversary Tour. Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from just £20 (plus booking fee) and discounted family packages available.
Also announced today for the MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 events are Gail Kim, Gunner, Abyss, EC3, Tigre Uno and TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp winner Rockstar Spud. Many more top TNA Superstars will be added to the shows over the coming months.
The Tour will start at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro on Thursday January 29, the same arena where TNA made wrestling history last year by taping live television in the UK for the first time. It then heads to Manchester’s famous Phones 4u Arena.
The Tour ends on Saturday January 31 with a double TV taping at London’s Wembley Arena, which will also include an Ultimate X match – TNA’s fan favourite speciality bout full of high-flying and death-defying action.
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING is broadcast on Challenge in the UK and Ireland every Sunday night at 9pm, as well as on Spike TV in the USA and more than 120 other countries.
TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young said: “Every member of the TNA roster who secures a slot on the UK Tour is honoured by the opportunity. The support from the awesome TNA fans across the UK make the Tour some of our most memorable moments as professional athletes. Ask any adult or child who has attended a TNA live event, and they will tell you the energy and excitement is unmatched.”
Additional announcement about the MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 Tour will be made in the coming months. Seats are moving quickly, so fans who are looking to secure the best seats possible should buy today.
MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 Tour tickets will be available via the TNA UK Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tnawrestlinguk, www.gigsandtours.com/go/tna2015gen, www.ticketmaster.co.uk/TNA-Wrestling-tickets/artist/1008830 or direct from the tour venues. Full details of the UK events are:
Thursday 29 January 2015 | Glasgow The SSE Hydro | www.thehydro.com
Friday 30 January 2015 | Manchester Phones 4u Arena | www.phones4uarena.co.uk
Saturday 31 January 2015 | London Wembley Arena | www.wembleyarena.co.uk