The Suicide character in Impact Wrestling has been portrayed by more than half a dozen wrestlers over the years. One of them is the former WWE star TJP. The former cruiserweight champion recently had an interview with Cageside Seats. Among other things, he explained how he got chosen to play the character.
TJP first recalled the time the character made its debut in December 2007 portrayed by Frankie Kazarian. The high flying star remembered how Kazarian was reluctant about it and Christopher Daniels had joked that he should play the character instead:
“He [Frankie Kazarian] didn’t want to do it, he wasn’t having it. We all sat around the locker room and Christopher Daniels joked, ‘TJ should just be Suicide, he’s already in a mask,’ because I was Puma at the time.”
How TJP Got To Be Suicide
Perkins finally got the chance to play the character in May 2013. Explaining how he got the role, TJP revealed the officials originally wanted to bring it back for one night only. Since his Puma character was not being used at the time, the former 205 live star volunteered for the role:
“They were bringing it back for one night only as maybe nostalgia. I don’t think they knew who they wanted to portray it. I said, ‘If you don’t have any idea for this, I’d be happy to do it.’ At the time, I was tired of sitting at home. They said, ‘Good idea.’ One night turned into two, turned into three.”
The former Impact star continued to portray the character for a while before Suicide was revealed to be Perkins during an episode of Impact in June 30, 2013. His ring name was changed to Manik. TJP continued portraying the Manik character till he took his mask off in September 2015. Suicide has since made a few appearances on Impact and he even teamed with Manik in March 2020.
Frankie Kazarian is the latest high-profile star to be leaving TNA.
Kazarian had been with TNA on and off for over a decade, competing in the first-ever Ultimate-X match back in 2003. He’s a former X-Division and Tag-Team Champion. He also wrestled as the masked wrestler Suicide.
According to one source, Saturday night’s TNA ‘One Night Only’ pay-per-view taping was the final appearance for the long-time veteran.
– 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.
– 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.
It was announced on Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling that Sting will team up with Joseph Park to face Team 3D—TNA World Champion Bully Ray and TNA Television Champion Devon—on next week’s show. Days later at Slammiversary, Sting will challenge Ray for his title while Park will challenge Devon for his.
The program also saw the returns of three familiar wrestlers in Gunner, Shark Boy and Suicide.
Shark Boy resurfaced in an attempt 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 (Robbie E also appeared to try to convince Storm). This was followed by the return of Gunner, who took out Shark Boy as well Robbie E. Storm then confronted Gunner and said he would “See him at Slammiversary.” He then shook his hand.
Earlier in the show, Suicide defeated Joey Ryan and Petey Williams to land a spot in Ultimate X Match at Slammiversary for the X Division Championship against titleholder Kenny King and Chris Sabin.
Following the event, Gunner remarked on his return to Impact Wrestling—he had not appeared since October. The North Carolina native wrote on Twitter, “Great to finally return home to Impact tonite! @Cowboy_J_Storm and I see eye to eye! We want tag gold! See ya in Boston folks.”
– TNA World Heavyweight champion Bully Ray will defend against Sting at the upcoming Slamiversary pay-per-view on Sunday, June 2nd. Sting defeated Matt Morgan in the main event of Thursday’s Impact to earn the title shot. Morgan passed out while locked in the Scorpion Death Lock, which led to referee Earl Hebner calling the match.
– Former X Division wrestler Suicide will be returning to Impact Wrestling on Thursday, May 23rd and will attempt to earn a shot at Kenny King’s X Division Championship. Suicide, a character spawned from a TNA video game, was previously portrayed by tag team partners Christopher Daniels and Kazarian.
— Four profiles have been removed from ImpactWrestling.com’s roster page: Murphy, Okada, Sangriento and Suicide.
On the May 5 edition of Impact, Murphy was kicked out of Immortal after losing a “Loser Leaves Immortal” match against Rob Terry. He has not appeared for the organization since.
Okada briefly resurfaced on Xplosion after his role as Samoa Joe’s henchman concluded. He had not competed since June.
Sangriento was portrayed by Amazing Red, who announced on August 4, 2011 via Twitter that he had parted ways with TNA.
Suicide sparingly appeared for TNA after resurfacing in April. He last competed at the May 16, 2011 Xplosion taping, losing to “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero in the opening match of the Xplosion Championship Tournament.
— In a battle of TNA Knockouts, Tara will square off against Madison Rayne (replacing Jackie Haas) at 3 Legged Dog Studios in Downtown Manhattan on November 5, 2011. Visit www.fwewrestling.com for more information.
— Tommy Dreamer’s profile was removed from the Impact Wrestling roster page over the weekend, thus confirming his departure from the organization.
Meanwhile, Suicide has been added back to the page.
— Some cable guides are advertising a Knockout Tag Team Championship Match pitting Sarita and Rosita vs. Velvet Sky and Miss Tessmacher for this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling.
— Matches scheduled for this week’s Impact Wrestling live events in Ontario and New York are as follows: Mr. Anderson vs. Kurt Angle; AJ Styles vs. Scott Steiner; James Storm and Alex Shelley (with Robert Roode) vs. The British Invasion; Abyss vs. Kazarian; Mickie James and Tara vs. Angelina Love and Winter; Jeff Jarrett vs. Eric Young (with Orlando Jordan); Matt Morgan vs. D’Angelo Dinero.
— Former X Division Champion Suicide was removed from the official TNA Wrestling website’s roster page Friday.
The character was first dismissed last October, but returned at the January 31 Xplosion taping with Christopher Daniels once again donning the mask. Suicide last appeared at the May 16 Xplosion taping, losing to “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero in the opening match of the Xplosion Championship Tournament.
— Fans of Shannon Moore have asked “The Prince of Punk” if he is still affiliated with TNA Wrestling because he has not appeared on television in recent weeks.
“Hey guys some have asked if I’m still in TNA,” he wrote on Twitter. “I am still under contract. I have not been on tv the past few weeks or the next few to come.”
— TNA Wrestling has announced an IMPACT Wrestling World Tour date for Saturday, September 3 at the Shenandoan County Fairgrounds in Woodstock, Virginia.
— TNA Wrestling kicked off a tournament at last night’s Xplosion taping for the Xplosion Championship. The premise of the title is that it’s holder would be able to challenge any champion on iMPACT! Wrestling.
“The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero squared off against Suicide in the opening match of the tournament.
— Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA) announced last Thursday that Mickie James, Angelina Love, Velvet Sky and Sexy Star will face Faby Apache, Mari Apache, Lolita and Cinthia Moreno at the organization’s biggest show of the year, TripleManía XIX, which takes place on Saturday, June 18 at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City.
— The new TNA Wrestling Mobile Video Game from NAMCO BANDAI will be released this Thursday. It will be available on the iPhone, iPad and Android.
— Scott Steiner and Beer Money, Inc. vs Rob Terry, Gunner and Murphy was announced tonight on TNA iMPACT! for Sunday’s Against All Odds pay-per-view event.
— Former WWE Champion Chris Jericho issued the following critique to TNA Wrestling while viewing tonight’s episode of iMPACT!.
“After 10 yrs TNA talent still have an inferiority complex. If u don’t think that u work for the BEST COMPANY EVER then nobody else will!”
“As a performer u hav to act and project that where u work is the pinnacle of competition! If not then the whole place just seems second rate.”
— Suicide made his return to television tonight on TNA iMPACT!, competing in a Triple Threat Match against Robbie E and Brian Kendrick. The bout concluded with E pinning Kendrick.
The recently re-signed Christopher Daniels is once again portraying the video game based character. Suicide had been dormant since October.
– The following matches are advertised TNA Against All Odds next Sunday 2/13:
Last Knockout Standing Match for the TNA Knockouts Title: Mickie James vs. Madison Ryane vs. Mickie James
Street Fight: Bully Ray vs. Brother Devon
Samoa Joe vs. D’Angelo Dinero.
– Former WWE star Ken Doane (Kenny Dykstra) took a few shots at TNA on Twitter this week for the company’s “They” storyline:
“how did TNA know “THEY” were coming? think tna thought “THEY” would be in the WWE Rumble? LOL! Dont know why tna promos always have to remind us of wwe. wwe never reminds us of tna. Maybe tna’s version of “they” was the SQUAD! oh wait we pitched that to them and they didnt like it.”
– Christopher Daniels is back in TNA working at the masked wrestler Suicide. Daniels is still under contract to Ring of Honor, but both sides worked out a deal that Daniels can work for TNA as long as he wears a mask. Daniels will be working for both companies for the foreseeable future.
TNA is planning on beefing up the X Division over the next few months and they know a veteran performer and former division champion like Daniels will help with that.
— TNA Knockout Mickie James will be the opening musical act at The National in Richmond, Virginia tomorrow night for a concert featuring Randy Houser. For ticket details click here.
The recently relaunched MickieJames.com now features a fan club via paid membership. A brand new T-shirt and her debut album Strangers & Angels are also available on the website.
— Suicide has been quietly added to TNAWrestling.com’s roster page. The masked grappler returned to action Monday after a four month hiatus, defeating Brian Kendrick in a match taped for TNA Xplosion.
Due to the roster addition, Jimmy Hart was removed from the roster page for the second time in two weeks. The WWE Hall of Famer was added back to the page late last week when Kevin Nash’s bio was removed.
— Pay-Per-View provider iNDEMAND has released the official promotional poster for TNA’s upcoming Victory Road event, which takes place on Sunday, March 13th.
“The road to victory is long. It is a road paved with opportunities and with heartaches, with joy and pain. TNA Wrestling presents Victory Road LIVE! March 13th only on Pay -Per-View!”
– Masked TNA star suicide wrestled a match at Monday’s iMPACT! tapings in a match that was tape for the company’s syndicated Xplosion show. Suicide, believed to be Christopher Daniels, defeated Brian Kendrick.
– It’s said that TNA creative currently doesn’t have any solid plans for “Shore” stars Robbie E. and Cookie.
– TNA is looking to sign a deal with a publishing company to release a series of books that would include wrestler biographies and books about the company.
(Partial source: f4wonline.com)
Posted February 1st, 2011 in News, TNA. Tagged: Suicide.
— Mr. Anderson told Live Audio Wrestling that he will miss Sunday’s Turning Point pay-per-view and subsequent iMPACT! tapings, but will return to the ring on Nov. 12 for a live event in Nashville, Tennessee.
He was sidelined after suffering a concussion from a chair shot he received from Jeff Hardy last month at an iMPACT! taping.
In a separate note, his wife underwent ankle surgery on Oct. 27.
— The official TNA Wrestling website has removed Suicide from its roster page.
The video game based character was portrayed by Frankie Kazarian, Christopher Daniels and Kiyoshi during its two year run.
The character last appeared on June 14 in a bout taped for Xplosion.
source: Pro Wrestling Torch
Posted November 6th, 2010 in News, TNA. Tagged: Suicide.
— Initial plans for Hard Justice called for the event to be headlined by a TNA vs. “ECW” bout. Officials have since decided to make the event an “all-ECW” show similar to WWE’s One Night Stand in 2005. Wrestlers from the original ECW are being contacted and major TNA stars such as AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Ric Flair are not currently scheduled to appear on the show. Hard Justice is largely being put together by Tommy Dreamer.
— The Suicide character has been brought back since TNA has its action figure coming out. The character is being portrayed by Kiyoshi (Akira Raijin).
— As seen this past Thursday night on iMPACT!, Frankie Kazarian appeared as himself rather than the Suicide character, which seemed to indicate that the gimmick is through. It should be noted that he is still playing the masked character at house shows, but will be appearing as himself on television from this point forward. Though he will no longer play the character on television, TNA plans on continuing the gimmick as they are considering other wrestlers for the role.
Also note, TNA has added Kaz to its roster page, with Suicide retained.
— TNA referee Mike Posey defeated Alabama Junior Heavyweight Champion Mike Jackson this past Friday night in Graysville, Alabama to end his 45-year reign as champion.
— — In TNA’s latest webmatch, Hamada squares off against the infrequently seen Traci Brooks. You can view the bout at the following link.