WoS/World of Sport’s first show of their re-debut took place tonight on Britain’s biggest mainstream channel ITV. The programme is set for a 10 show stint running into October and is available to every television set in the United Kingdom.
The stars of the show took to Twitter after the event to react to pro wrestling returning to British television, including Davey Boy Smith Jr, Will Ospreay, Grado, Stu Bennett, SoCal Val and Kip Sabian.
— Harry Smith, “Davey Boy Smith JR” (@DBSmithjr) July 28, 2018
With so much packed into that 1hr show (we don’t do ‘filler’ at @WOSWrestling..) it was impossible to give our incredible female athletes the platform they DESERVE in episode 1. All I’ll say is DON’T MISS EPISODE 2 ???
Gutted to have lost the title (after holding it for 574 days, on my 1st defence ???)…. BUT delighted British Wrestling is back on the telly and it looks like the response has been SUPERB ?
Cheers to all of you who tuned in (& sent such WONDERFUL tweets & feedback) in support of the first @WOSWrestling episode on @ITV! More action to come next week! Same time, same channel! ????#itv#woswpic.twitter.com/PF8tyDSWNx
World of Sport (WoS) has been making several announcements over the past few days confirming the on air talent that will be appearing for the new 10 part series starting later this month.
The company has now announced that former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay will be making his way to mainstream British television for ITV.
The following stars have also been contracted by ITV to feature on the new 10-part show and will be announced in the coming weeks: Grado, Moose, Primate, Martin Kirby, Iestyn Rees, Viper, Bea Priestley, Sha Samuels, Doug Williams, Rampage Brown, Lionheart, Nathan Cruz, Kip Sabian, Robbie X, Gabriel Kidd, CJ Banks and Liam Slater.
WoS has also announced that former TNA on air talent SoCal Val and British wresting legend Alex Shane will be joining former WWE Superstar Wade Barrett/Stu Bennett in the commentary booth for the rebooted series. Val tweeted earlier today “Joining the #WOSW@ITV team as a commentator is a huge honor, especially as a female in #wrestling! I couldn’t be more excited to watch the action with you!”
Joining the #WOSW@ITV team as a commentator is a huge honor, especially as a female in #wrestling! I couldn’t be more excited to watch the action with you! Thanks to everyone who… https://t.co/k1lpZb6iLt
Former TNA Knockout SoCal Val recently spoke to Bill Apter at the Legends of the Ring convention. Val revealed that she has appeared on WWE TV as one of Adam Rose’s Rosebuds. She talks about what she’s up to now, wedding proposals, and her goal to eventually join WWE full-time.
Apter asked her who she looked up to. She said Stephanie McMahon. She also said that she did get to meet and shake Stephanie McMahon’s hand a few weeks ago.
– SoCal Val is the latest talent to part ways with TNA Wrestling as the tenured Knockout announced her departure from the organization on Thursday evening.
“Thank u #ImpactWrestling ,the lockerroom & esp the fans for 9 wonderful years. No longer w the company. Really excited 2 see what’s NEXT!” wrote Val.
Though not a wrestler, Val was otherwise a jill all of trades for the company as she appeared as an interviewer, ring announcer, ringside attendant and filled out other odd jobs at various points.
– The official YouTube account of TNA Wrestling has released the following video previewing its One Night Only: Knockouts Knockdown pay-per-view event premiering Friday, September 6.
Here is the synopsis for the event: “TNA WRESTLING PRESENTS ONE NIGHT ONLY: KNOCKOUTS KNOCKDOWN. Join TNA WRESTLING for one special event, spotlighting the most athletic and beautiful women in professional wrestling, including GAIL KIM, ALYSSA FLASH, IVELIEZE, LEI D TAPA, TARA, MIA YIM, MISS TESSMACHER, SANTANA, ODB, TRINITY, TARYN TERRELL, JACKIE MOORE, HANNAH BLOSSOM, SOJO, TAELER HENDRIX, VELVET SKY, JILLIAN HALL, MICKIE JAMES, SERENA. The winner of each individual match will advance on to one final match of the evening! A gauntlet match where the last two women standing will battle to see who is truly “The Queen of the Knockouts”. TNA WRESTLING PRESENTS ONE NIGHT ONLY: KNOCKOUTS KNOCKDOWN. Premiering Friday, September 6th on Pay Per View.”
– 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.
– Thursday’s Valentine’s Day edition of Impact Wrestling drew a 1.01 cable rating, with 1,295,000 viewers. These figures are down from a 1.03 cable rating and 1,412,000 viewers last week.
– In the following video, SoCal Val provides details on TNA Wrestling’s Lockdown Fan Interaction in San Antonio, Texas during the Lockdown pay-per-view weekend in March.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxBlTzFGQ6E
– TNA Wrestling ring announcer Christy Hemme is advertised to appear at the Steel City Con taking place April 6 and 7 at the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Click here for additional information.
– The profile of Christian York was temporarily removed from the TNA Wrestling website roster page today, leading to speculation that he may have parted ways with the organization. Meanwhile, the profile of Kid Kash remains offline.
– On this edition of the Spin Cycle, Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, Joseph Park and SoCal Val make their predictions for the winner of British Bootcamp—as revealed Tuesday night, it was Rockstar Spud.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APACW-rBkHg
– TNA Wrestling’s 2012 Bound For Glory, No Surrender and Hardcore Justice pay-per-view events are now available on DVD on ShopTNA.com. It is the company’s first DVD releases in months due to a lack of a video distributor.
– Ric Flair has finally been removed from the roster page of TNA Wrestling’s official website after not being affiliated with the organization since the spring. His profile was deleted today.
In May, the legendary wrestler tried to have his TNA contract terminated, which led to TNA filing a lawsuit against WWE for contract tampering. According to court documents, Flair was officially terminated on May 11.
– TNA Wrestling has released the first of its series of ShopTNA.com Knockouts Holiday videos. This ad features Gail Kim, Christy Hemme, Madison Rayne, SoCal Val, Tara, Miss Tessmacher, Taryn Terrell and Brooke Hogan.
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced Wednesday that Mickie James will face Gail Kim on tomorrow night’s live Impact Wrestling broadcast.
She wrote, “Just spoke w/Brooke (@MizzHogan). Knockouts match for tomorrows #ImpactLIVE on @SpikeTV is @MickieJames v @GailKimItsMe. 2 of the best ever!”
James is the No. 1 Contender to the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship held by Tara after winning a battle royal two weeks ago. The two will face off at Final Resolution on Dec. 9.
– On the latest edition of TNA Today, SoCal Val sits down with Kid Kash as he looks back at TNA’s initial days in the Asylum. He discusses the differences between the promotion today and then.
– Former WWE Divas Champion tried out for TNA Wrestling last Thursday as she lost to Tara in a dark match. According to F4WOnline.com, company officials felt she did well.
– In the following video, SoCal Val tells you how you can get a free Bound for Glory 2012 T-Shirt after watching the Pay-Per-View at any participating movie theater. Visit www.tnaonscreen.com for participating locations.
– Chavo Guerrero appears at The Wrestling Guy in the Sanat Fe Springs Swap Meet Space H-5 13963 Alondra Blvd. Santa fe Springs, California, on Oct. 12 from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. (Event Information)
— Mickie James was asked by a Twitter user the difference between an icon and a legend and responded, “A Legend is an Icon of the past… I am an Icon! I aspire 2 be a Legend!”
Between WWE and TNA, James is an eight-time champion, and is also the only female to hold the WWE Women’s, WWE Divas and TNA Women’s Knockout Championship in history.
— TNA Wrestling has announced that the organization will return to Canada in late June for a live event tour. Events are scheduled for Saturday, June 23 in Oshawa, Ontario and Sunday, June 24 in Hamilton, Ontario.
— Rob Van Dam and So Cal Val appear at Direct Auto Insurance 4459 W. Irlo Bronson Highway Kissimmee, Florida on Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Call 407-396-9033 for more information.
— SoCal Val catches up with Impact Wrestling General Manager Hulk Hogan as he arrives at Nashville airport for Sunday’s Lockdown pay-per-view event. When asked about the World Heavyweight Championship Match between Bobby Roode and James Storm, Hogan says Storm needs to “put a bullet” in Roode to remove the “bad seed” from the company.
— Angelina Love shot scenes last week in Paris, France for the upcoming Science fiction television series Dark Rising: Warrior of Worlds. She plays the villanus Rosemary Black.
— TNA Wrestling’s annual Lockdown InterAction Fanfest takes place Saturday at the Gaylord Oprylan Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Hulk Hogan, Sting, Ric Flair and a host of other Impact Wrestling stars are scheduled to appear at the event. Details are available here.
The official YouTube account of Impact Wrestling has published a video of a surprised SoCal Val running in to Velvet Sky today outside the Impact Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida. Sky, who is not scheduled to compete at tonight’s Genesis pay-per-view event, says she is on a mission to find Sting.
“I need to find Sting. I am so determined to talk to Sting—I am sick and tired of what’s been going on in this Knockouts division,” she tells Val regarding her unexpected appearance.
“Someone needs to take a stand and if no one else is going to step up to the plate, it’s going to be me.”
She continues to Val, “If you want to know what it is that I have to talk to Sting about so desperately, watch the pay-per-view later—you’ll find out on the pay-per-view.”
— The Wrestling Observer reports that much of Karen Jarrett’s demeaning on-air dialogue designating Velvet Sky as a promiscuous woman is based on how certain TNA Wrestling officials legitimately view the Knockouts Division star.
— Former WWE talent Maria 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.
Kanellis tweeted, “I’m so excited. Ive always admired (Tara). She has taught me so much!!”
— Christopher Daniels, D’Angelo Dinero, Doug Williams and SoCal Val filmed an upcoming edition of TNA Spin Cycle Tuesday in Orlando, Florida.
The August 2011 issue of the UK based wrestling magazine Power Slam reports that there is a sizable pay discrepancy among the female performers of TNA Wrestling.
The magazine states that Christy Hemme and Mickie James are the highest-paid female talent in the organization: each earn more than $100,000 per year. Meanwhile, the rest of TNA’s female wrestlers and personalities (Angelina Love, Brooke Tessmacher, Cookie, Jackie, Madison Rayne, ODB, Rosita, Sarita, SoCal Val, Tara, Traci Brooks, Velvet Sky and Winter) earn far less: $600 per appearance at most.
Karen Jarrett’s salary is not stated, but the magazine indicates that she commands an above average appearance fee.
Hemme and James command the highest salaries because both were high-profile performers in WWE and thus are more valuable than the other women due to their name recognition. Though the magazine does not indicate which female talent earns more, it is noted that both make a similar low six-figure amount per year. Hemme, however, solely works televised events whereas James additionally appears on the company’s live event tour.
Hemme’s reported salary has drawn criticism from fans and colleagues as they feel it’s exorbitant for a non-wrestling female personality. The Honky Tonk Man claimed last year that her contract renewal with TNA last year was for three years at an annual rate of $175,000. He also said that Eric Bischoff, a huge supporter of the former WWE Diva and Playboy cover girl, helped Hemme obtain the high-end deal. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer would not confirm the veracity of the former WWE star’s claim but did say the deal made her the highest paid female performer in the company.
Reports of Hemme’s salary last year reportedly upset some of her female co-workers.
At the maximum second-tier rate, a TNA Knockout who appeared on every single television and pay-per-view event over the course of a calender year, 64 in all, would garner $38,400 at most. TNA solely covers airfare, leaving talent to cover all other expenses including lodging, wardrobe and medical. There is also no downside guarantee, thus meaning talent only get paid when they are used. And while the company holds numerous non-televised events, each tour features a rotation of two to five female performers.
Velvet Sky, who is arguably the organization’s top homegrown female star, is believed to be earning the maximum rate of the second-tier salary cap. Her contract renewal with TNA last year reportedly called for her salary to be bumped from $300 per appearance to $600. However, she is an exception to the rule on salary hikes for female talent. Gail Kim, Awesome Kong and Shelly Martinez (a/k/a Salinas) have all publicly stated that they left TNA because organization officials denied their requests for a pay raise.
— Jimmy Yang announced Monday on Twitter that he received payment from TNA Wrestling after performing for the organization in late June.
He wrote, “Woo Woo Woo finally got paid i guess better late then never.”
Yang complained recently on Twitter that a check issued to him by the organization bounced when he attempted to deposit into his banking account. He was called “unprofessional” by an office employee for drawing attention to the matter.
— In her first post-WWE appearance, Melina managed Eric Young at Saturday’s Family Wrestling Entertainment event in New York City. She led the TNA star to victory as he captured the FWE Heavyweight Championship in a three-way match against Charlie Haas and Jay Lethal.
— SoCal Val is advertised to appear at the Frank & Son Collectible Show (located on 19649 San Jose Ave. City of Industry, California) on Saturday, September 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visit frankandsonshow.net for more information.
— The X Division Ultimate Xscape Match will kick off tonight’s TNA Lockdown pay-per-view. The match will feature Amazing Red, Brian Kendrick, Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal, Jeremy Buck, Max Buck, Robbie E and Suicide.
— Mexican America — Hernandez, Anarquia, Sarita and Rosita — promote tonight’s TNA Lockdown pay-per-view in the following video.
— SoCal Val conducted an interview with “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero regarding his match with Samoa Joe tonight at TNA Lockdown.
— The April 7 TNA Wrestling live event in Erie, Pennsylvania drew 2,000 patrons while the April 10 show in Moundsville, West Virginia garnered 700.
— On Twitter, Hulk Hogan has been asked about bringing Randy Savage to TNA Wrestling. The Hulkster said he would if he could. He wrote:
“About bringing Randy Savage to TNA, man I wish we could get his butt off the couch he would add so much to the creative.”‘
He also posted the following concerning TNA Lockdown on Sunday:
“Good morning real WRESTLING people, LOCKDOWN is going to be intense Sunday in Cincinnati, this is not for the pg faint of heart.”
— Samoa Joe, Tara and SoCal Val are scheduled for an autograph signing today from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Hooters/Beer Sellar 301 Roverboat Row #1, Newport, Kentucky 41071. Call 859-431-6969 for more information.
— Mickie James is scheduled for an autograph signing today from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Columbia Chevrolet 9750 Montgomery Rd, Montgomery, Ohio 45242. Call 513-891-7200 for more information.
— Hernandez garnered heat within the TNA Wrestling locker room for carelessly dropping Douglas Williams while giving him the Border Toss during a match on TNA iMPACT! last month.
“He’s a careless guy in the ring,” a company source stated. “He relies on doing a couple of dangerous moves.”
— Bruce Prichard (a/k/a Brother Love) produced the segments with Jeff and Karen Jarrett outside the Impact! Zone planning their wedding vow renewal.
— SoCal Val recently filmed a role for a movie. To view a promotional photo of her character, which she describes as ‘1930s Glam’, click here.
— Jesse Neal has signed a new three-year contract with TNA Wrestling.
— Desmond Wolfe has been backstage at this week’s television tapings at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
— TNA Wrestling has posted a new episode of Pillow Talk with SoCal Val. Her special guest is Miss Tessmacher, who answers questions such as boxers or briefs, what she sleeps in at night, which celebrity she would like to be stranded on a deserted island with, her favorite sappy movie, and more.
— TNA Knockout Mickie James is participating in an auction benefitting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital this Friday at Bailey’s Pub & Grille in Richmond, Virginia.
Advertising for the event reads: “Not only will some of Richmond’s sexiest singles be up for auction but country singer and wrestling sensation Mickie James will be auctioned off too!”
— TNA Knockout Taylor Wilde announced Monday on Twitter that she is engaged to be married.
She wrote, “I can’t contain my joy and excitment anymore! I’m engaged to @olivermitchell.”
— TNA Knockouts Chelsea and SoCal Val are advertised to appear at MegaCon 2011, which is taking place March 25-27, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center Hall in Orlando, Florida. Click here for more information.
— With Destination X two weeks away, only three matches have been announced thus far – Ultimate X with no participants revealed yet, Matt Morgan and Hernandez vs. Beer Money, Inc. for the TNA Tag Team Championship, and Kazarian vs. Doug Williams for the X Division Championship.
— According to the official website of Sarita (sarah.newscott.com), the TNA Knockout will be heading to Tokyo, Japan in a few weeks for a brief wrestling tour. She will be wrestling on Fuka’s retirement show at Korakuen Hall on Mar. 28 and then again on Apr. 3 at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring.
— Click here to view an amusing commercial promoting TNA’s Live Online Pre & Post Show with SoCal Val and Jeremy Borash.