The following are highlights of a new Busted Open Radio interview with Ethan Carter III:
On his upcoming match with Bully Ray & how important Slammiversary is to TNA: “This is pretty important. This is 12 years the company’s been around. Granted I’ve only been here 9 months, but I intend to be here for the next 400 years. They’re gonna have to freeze me like Walt Disney. This is a huge moment. I’ve had a lot of opportunity to go into the ring with TNA legends. This match with Bully Ray: He’s 100%, I’m 100%. This is a grudge match, and it’s in Texas. I wouldn’t be surprised to have this match have a Texas stipulation added to it. It’s gonna be a match, and it’s gonna be in Texas, and Bully wants to put me to death. This is gonna be a fight. This is gonna be a match I leave it all out there. This is my opportunity to show the world what I got.”
On how big this match is versus how big his match with Sting was: “I think with Sting that was, well, it’s Sting! No matter what stage of his career he’s at, it’s still Sting, and that’s epic. I think what’s gonna separate this match with Bully vs. Sting is it’s gonna be on PPV. It’s gonna be one on one. We’re gonna go the distance and we’re gonna have a lot of time to tell a story in the ring. A lot of times with TV tapings you don’t have enough time to get to where you want. On PPV you have 3 hours dedicated to just wrestling.”
On upcoming TNA shows in New York’s Manhattan Center & New York fans: “Oh man. I can’t wait. I’ve been a wrestling fan since I first saw it. I love New York fans. They always say what’s on their minds. They’re gonna have some creative things they want to say to the Carter family and it’s gonna be exciting. I don’t know what chants I’m gonna get, but I’d love to get a ‘E-C-Fn-3’ chants, I’d be happy. I’m a fan, so how bout this? ‘Ethan Carter the turd’. If you wanna bring it back to the old ECW, ‘you suck *&^%’ or whatever, have it it. Whatever it is good or bad I’ll take it.”
TNA held a media conference call this afternoon to promote Sunday’s Slammiversary XII pay-per-view. During the call, a rep from TNA confirmed that Sunday’s main event match featuring TNA World Champion Eric Young vs. MVP is still officially on, despite MVP’s recent knee injury.
Eric Young was asked about MVP’s injury and said he’s preparing for their match this Sunday, but will be ready to “deal with” a possible last-minute change to the match if needed.
During an interview with Chris Jericho this week on the Talk Is Jericho podcast, MVP revealed that has not yet undergone an MRI and has started putting weight back on the knee. While he is doing everything he can to be ready for action this Sunday, he did say that TNA is working on a “Plan B” in case he’s not healthy in time.
SEScoops.com will have Live Coverage results of TNA Slammiversary this Sunday night starting at 8pm (Eastern).
– Davey Richards noted in a recent interview that he and Eddie Edwards will be defending the TNA Tag-Team Championships at the Slammiversary pay-per-view this Sunday. While he wouldn’t announce who their opponents will be, he did say that fans would “dig it.” You can check out the interview at FightNetwork.com.
– TNA stars Velvet Sky, Taryn Terrell, Jessie Godderz and Bully Ray were in attendance on behalf of the company at the Spike TV “Guys Choice Awards,” which airs tonight at 9pm EST.
– The following is the ninth installment of Kurt Angle’s “#MyComeback” video series:
BREAKING NEWS: KURT ANGLE Will Announce Next TNA HOF Inductee This Sunday at Slammiversary
Exactly 2 years ago today, June 10th, “The Icon” Sting was announced as the first inductee to the TNA Hall of Fame. The announcement was made at Slammiversary in Dallas, TX.
This Sunday marks TNA’s first trip back to Dallas since then – for Slammiversary XII – and we have just learned that Olympic Gold Medalist, Kurt Angle, will announce the next inductee to the TNA Hall of Fame! Slammiversary has become the annual event where a new inductee is announced and, just last year, Kurt Angle became the second man in history to be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame.
Kurt Angle is one of the most impressive athletes in the history of wrestling, both professional and amateur. In TNA alone, Kurt is a record five-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, two-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, one-time X-Division Champion and a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Still today, Kurt Angle is the ONLY Olympic Gold Medalist to compete inside a professional wrestling ring.
Next weekend’s TNA Slammiversary main event remains in jeopardy due to MVP suffering a knee injury at an overseas live event for Preston City Wrestling on 5/30.
MVP, who is still scheduled to challenge Eric Young for the TNA World Championship, appeared at a show on May 31st and cut a promo apologizing to fans that he couldn’t compete. MVP said x-rays on his knee were inconclusive and he will need to undergo an MRI.
Former WWE star Chris Masters, was on the same tour as MVP, posted a photo of MVP in a wheelchair on June 2nd:
The TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view main event could be in jeopardy, as MVP has apparently suffered a knee injury on Friday night while working for Preston City Wrestling. MVP later explained that he heard his knee “pop” during the match.
MVP was scheduled to work another match on Saturday, but came out at the beginning of the show and cut a promo explaining that he was injured. He said he went to the hospital and got an X-Ray that came back inconclusive. He said he needs to undergo an MRI.
Whether or not the injury is serious enough to affect his pay-per-view match with Eric Young in two weeks is a serious question.
On Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling, it was announced that Ethan Carter III will face at the upcoming TNA Slammiversary PPV. Here’s the updated card:
TNA World Championship Match:
– Eric Young (c) vs. MVP
Grude Match
– Bully Ray vs. Ethan Carter III
Join us here Sunday night, June 15th for Live Coverage of TNA Slammiversary XII.
As seen throughout the week, TNA taped several weeks worth of Impact Wrestling shows in Orlando, Florida. The next Impact Wrestling TV taping is scheduled for June 19th in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with the next set of TV tapings scheduled for their New York loop. After those tapings, the company will have their TV shows in the can through the month of August.
The next show the company will produce will be their Slammiversary pay-per-view, which is scheduled for Sunday, June 15th. After that show, the company won’t be running another pay-per-view until their Bound For Glory event.
Following the many TNA Impact Wrestling television tapings the past few nights in Orlando, here is the latest lineup for the TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view, which takes place on Sunday, June 15th:
TNA World Heavyweight Championship (Steel Cage Match)
– Eric Young (c) vs. MVP
TNA Knockouts Championship
– Angelina Love (c) vs. Gail Kim
Texas Death Match
– Bully Ray vs. Ethan Carter III
Tag-Team Match
– Willow & Abyss vs. Magnus & Bram
One-On-One
– Mr. Anderson vs. James Storm
Other matches rumored, but not yet confirmed, include Kenny King vs. Austin Aries, Samoa Joe vs. Bobby Lashley and The Managerie vs. The Bro Mans.
TNA World Heavyweight champion Eric Young will defend the gold against TNA Director of Operations MVP at Slammiversary.
The announcement came on Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling, with MVP promising Eric Young that he would reveal his Slammiversary opponent later in the night. After hinting that it was someone that EY had never faced before, MVP beat down the champion and declared himself the #1 contender.
TNA Slammiversary XII takes place on Sunday, June 15 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
At Tuesday night’s TNA Impact Wrestling tapings, MVP came to the ring and announced that Eric Young’s opponent at Slammiversary would be revealed later in the evening. He called out Eric Young and put him over as a fighting champion, promising to give him a worthy challenger to the TNA World Heavyweight championship.
MVP introduced the #1 contender, but nobody came out. He then attacked Eric Young, declaring himself the #1 contender.
TNA World Heavyweight champion Eric Young will defend the gold against MVP at TNA Slammiversary on Sunday, June 15th from College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
– Last week on the special “Destination X” edition of Impact, Chris Sabin defeated Bully Ray to capture the TNA World Heavyweight title. According to sources backstage, this was not a last minute decision and the plans for Sabin to win the title went back several months.
– TNA’s recent live event from Danville, Illinois on (7/19) drew 500 fans. The following night’s show in Cape Girardeau, Missouri drew only 250 fans.
– Estimates have TNA’s Slammiversary pay-per-view doing around 13,500 buys, down approximately 7% from last year. So far, it does not appear that TNA reducing its PPV schedule to only 4 per year has yielded the results they were hoping for.
– Posting his first Twitter message since March 28 (and second of 2013), Sting posted this cryptic statement hours before his scheduled appearance on Impact Wrestling tonight: “Sunday I was left to fight alone… Message received!”
This is in reference to his loss to Bully Ray this past Sunday in a No Holds Barred Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary, where no TNA wrestler attempted to combat substantial interference from Aces and Eights. Per match stipulation, Sting will never be allowed to have another shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
– This past Sunday at Slammiversary, Chris Sabin reigned supreme in the Ultimate X Match to once again become the X Division Champion. Following the bout, Hulk Hogan informed Sabin that like last year, the X Division Champion will receive a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship in the future. In this newly released video, Sabin reacting to his good fortune. (Watch)
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Aces and Eights henchman D’Lo Brown will be appearing at this Saturday’s Legends of the Ring convention taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Monroe, New Jersey (click here for event information).
– Three wrestlers and one announcer have been removed from the official TNA Wrestling website’s roster page: Alex Silva, Douglas Williams, Jesse Sorensen, and Todd Keneley.
It was reported earlier this week that Keneley was removed from the lead announce position, reverting the announce team to Mike Tenay and Taz. Keneley addressed reports of his dismissal from the organization in a Twitter post on Tuesday: “Thank you so much for all of the support and compliments on my work. Can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. Really making my day!”
Williams was sparingly used after being shifted to a trainer position in developmental promotion Ohio Valley Wrestling last year. Silva was sparingly used as well after becoming the inaugural Gut Check winner last year. He had been sidelined in recent months due to a concussion.
Sorensen continues to work for TNA Wrestling in the production department.
– The official YouTube account of TNA Wrestling has released this Inside IMPACT video of Taryn Terrell reacting to her Last Knockout Standing Match against Gail Kim at Slammiversary.
– James Storm appeared to experience abdominal discomfort backstage after capturing the TNA World Tag Team Championship alongside Gunner at Slammiversary. It was his return match after suffering a slight abdominal tear, an abductor strain and groin pull while officiating an Impact Wrestling match on May 9.
Following the show, Storm addressed his health via Twitter: “75% healthy and In a lot of pain, but I did my job and did it well enough to become a 12x world tag team champ. #BeerMe.”
– Celebrity chef Robert Irvine, husband of Gail Kim, was backstage at Sunday’s Slammiversary pay-per-view event in Boston, Massachusetts. SportsCenter anchor Robert Flores also attended the show.
– In the Ultimate X Match at Slammiversary for the X Division Championship, Suicide was once again portrayed by TJ Perkins.
– Bobby Roode and Christy Hemme are scheduled to participate in an autograph signing this Wednesday at Direct Auto Insurance on 5865 Jimmy Carter Blvd in Norcross, Georgia to promote the following evening’s Impact Wrestling in Duluth. The signing begins at 4:00 p.m.
– The official YouTube account of TNA Wrestling has released post-Slammiversary footage, which features Sting being assisted to the backstage area by two referees after being struck with a hammer by Bully Ray to conclude the No Holds Barred World Heavyweight Championship main event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaYotgWp8Ks
– At Slammiversary, it was announced that Kurt Angle would be the second inductee into the TNA Wrestling Hall Of Fame taking place during Bound For Glory weekend in October. Through Twitter, fellow TNA legend Jeff Jarrett congratulated the Olympic Gold medalist on the honor.
“Congratulations to the 1 n only @RealKurtAngle 4 being inducted n 2 the #TNAHallofFame!” Jarrett wrote. “Inside the ring, there’s never been anybody better!”
– Two TNA stars celebrated birthdays at Slammiversary as “Cowboy” James Storm turned 36-years-old while Velvet Sky turned 32.
– Chris Sabin had his head stitched up as a result of an errant hit during the Ultimate X Match for the X Division Championship at Slammiversary.
– Prior to his match against Kurt Angle at Slammiversary, AJ Styles debuted a new theme song—”Evil Ways (Justice Mix)” by Blues Saraceno. Audio of the theme song is available below.
– TNA Wrestling officials were pleased with the outcome of Slammiversary. Company president Dixie Carter stated following the show via Twitter, “So proud of every single member of TNA. What a great #Slammiversary PPV. Top to bottom. Thanks to the best fans in the world. Best to come.”
– Hyping this summer’s slate of Impact Wrestling episodes on Spike TV as “the biggest summer ever” in the history of the nine-year program, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter touted via Twitter on Thursday a “big free agent signing” arriving during this time frame. On the micro-blogging service, former WWE champion Dave Bautista responded to a question asking whether he is the individual in question.
“Seriously? I am a @WWE guy to the core,” he wrote.
When asked whether he has anything against the promotion, he wrote, “no of course not.”
– Tomorrow night at Slammiversary, Taryn Terrell will face Gail Kim in a Last Knockout Standing Match. In this video interview, Terrell says she has a lot to prove when she faces Kim.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF5cMPnDsM4
– ShopTNA.com has released a new AJ Styles T-Shirt promoting the multi-time champion’s rebellious character. It reads “No One.”
Several of TNA’s top superstars spoke to the Boston Herald this week to promote Sunday’s Slammiversary XI pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what the following stars said:
Bully Ray: “TNA is the best wrestling product out there. We have some of the greatest veterans of pro wrestling and some of the greatest modern-day wrestlers. There’s great in-ring action, great talkers, great brawlers and hot girls. Anything that you want in pro wrestling, you can find in TNA.”
Sting: “This Sunday is going to be intense,.There is a large wrestling audience that doesn’t want to say goodbye to my generation — guys like myself and Hogan — and still appreciates us. It’s the same for me. It’s hard to walk away. I want to give Boston something to remember.”
Christopher Daniels: “This is TNA’s first time in Boston,” said Bully Ray. “This is enemy territory. I’m a New Yorker from Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. I’m a New York Yankee fan. I’m overlooking Fenway, standing atop the Green Monster, and I feel like the evil emperor . . . Our roster is second to none. When you put us in the ring and really give us the chance to go, we deliver. We’re looking to steal the show this Sunday.”
On Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, several changes were made to the Slammiversary card, including the announcement that Jeff Hardy will team with Samoa Joe & Magnus vs. 3 members of Aces & Eights. With that match set, here’s the final card for this Sunday:
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: STING’S LAST SHOT
“The Icon” Sting vs. Bully Ray
AJ STYLES VS. KURT ANGLE
FOUR TEAM ELIMINATION TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez vs. Christopher Daniels and Kazarian vs. Austin Aries and Bobby Roode vs. “Cowboy” James Storm and Gunner
TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Joseph Park vs. Devon
SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe & Magnus vs. Aces & Eights
ULTIMATE X: X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Suicide vs. Kenny King vs. Chris Sabin
LAST KNOCKOUT STANDING MATCH
Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell
GUT CHECK TOURNAMENT FINAL
Jay Bradley vs. Sam Shaw
PLUS – TNA will announce the second member of the TNA Hall of Fame, to be inducted during Bound For Glory weekend in October.
COMMENT BELOW and give us your predictions for Slammiversary – and who YOU think should be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame this year.
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced Wednesday afternoon that Jeff Hardy will return to action at this Sunday’s Slammiversary pay-per-view event.
“Spoke w/@JeffHardyBrand & he’s ready to return to action. Happy to announce he’ll be back at #Slammivesary. Tune in Thurs (9-11pm) to hear,” she wrote.
Hardy has not appeared on TNA Wrestling programming since the April 11 episode of Impact Wrestling, where he was defeated by Bully Ray in a Full Metal Mayhem Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
– Infrequently seen TNA Wrestling Superstar Sam Shaw appears on the latest edition of The List with Robbie E. The synopsis reads, “After some time off the list is back with Gut Check Winner Sam Shaw and Robbie E is willing to give his a chance to get on the list… Granted he doesn’t seem to care to much for the list it seems.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXiUjs5sPt8
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian will appear at Comicazi 407 Highland Ave. Somerville, Massachusetts this Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
TNA has added Jay Bradley vs. Sam Shaw in the finals of the Gut Check tournament to Sunday’s Slammiversary pay-per-view lineup. The winner of the match will qualify for the Bound For Glory Series.
With that match set, here’s the updated card for TNA Slammiversary XI:
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: STING’S LAST SHOT
“The Icon” Sting vs. Bully Ray of Aces and Eights
AJ STYLES VS. KURT ANGLE
FOUR TEAM ELIMINATION TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez vs. Christopher Daniels and Kazarian vs. Austin Aries and Bobby Roode vs. “Cowboy” James Storm and Gunner
TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Joseph Park vs. Devon of Aces and Eights
ULTIMATE X: X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Suicide vs. Kenny King vs. Chris Sabin
KNOCKOUTS MATCH
Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell
GUT CHECK TOURNAMENT FINAL
Jay Bradley vs. Sam Shaw
One new match has been announced for Slammiversary as Sam Shaw will face Jay Bradley in the Gut Check Tournament Final where the winner will earn a spot in the Bound For Glory Series.
On Impact Wrestling, Shaw was supposed to face Alex Silva in a match to advance to the Final, but advanced after Aces and Eights member Wes Brisco came out to congratulate Shaw because the group laid out his opponent in the parking lot. Shaw was subsequently beaten by the Aces and Eights until being saved by Magnus.
It was also revealed that Gunner will team up with James Storm when they take on Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez in a match for the TNA World Tag Team Championship. Plus, Suicide defeated Joey Ryan and Petey Williams to land a spot in Ultimate X Match at for the X Division Championship against titleholder Kenny King and Chris Sabin.
It was announced during Thursday’s show that the second inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame will be revealed at the pay-per-view event. Sting was revealed as the inaugural inductee into the Hall of Fame at last year’s event before being formally inducted by Lex Luger at Bound for Glory in October.
The updated card, which takes place at the Agganis Arena on the campus of Boston University on Sunday, June 2, is as follows:
* Bully Ray defends the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Sting – billed as “Sting’s Last Shot.”
* AJ Styles will face Kurt Angle.
* In a Four Team Elimination Tag Team Championship Match, Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, Austin Aries and Bobby Roode, and “Cowboy” James Storm and Gunner.
* Devon defends the TNA Television Championship against Joseph Park.
* Kenny King defends the X Division Championship in an Ultimate X Match against Chris Sabin and Suicide.
* Taryn Terrell will square off against Gail Kim.
* Jay Bradley takes on Sam Shaw in the Gut Check Tournament Final.