Preview TNA IMPACT WRESTLING Next Thursday At 9/8c On SpikeTV

Don’t miss Thursday’s huge IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, as the road continues to the November 13 “Turning Point” Pay-Per-View event! Can’t watch it Thursday night? Set your DVR to record it!

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– In a huge main event bout, the World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line as titleholder “Cowboy” James Storm will defend the gold against his friend and tag team partner, Bobby Roode! This past week, Roode defeated Samoa Joe to become the #1 Contender, and now he gets another shot at the World Title he came so close to winning at Bound For Glory. Don’t miss the much-anticipated World Title bout between Storm and Roode on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV!

– In addition, Ronnie from MTV’s “Jersey Shore” is coming to TNA IMPACT WRESTLING! After Robbie E and Big Rob put the beat down on Eric Young this past week, EY has promised he is bringing Ronnie to even the odds this week! What will happen when Ronnie from Jersey Shore makes his debut in IMPACT WRESTLING? Tune in and find out!

– In a huge tag team match, it will be “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy teaming with Mr. Anderson to take on “The King of the Mountain” Jeff Jarrett and Bully Ray

– Plus, Knockouts VP Karen Jarrett has signed a Knockouts Tag Team Title Match, as Tara and Brooke Tessmacher will defend the gold against Gail Kim and Madison Rayne

All this and much more on Thursday night starting at 9/8c on SpikeTV – with appearances by Sting, Ric Flair, X Division Champion Austin Aries, Eric Bischoff and many more!

source: ImpactWrestling.com

Preview IMPACT WRESTLING Thursday on Spike

Don’t miss Thursday’s huge IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, as the road continues to the November 13 “Turning Point” Pay-Per-View event!

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– NEW World Heavyweight Champion James Storm will appear on the huge broadcast! Just one week after the TNA Original captured one of the biggest prizes in pro wrestling, Storm will address the fans on his future as champion!

– In addition, the new GM “General Menace” of Impact Wrestling “The Icon” Sting will be in attendance this Thursday. Sting has promised to have a new #1 Contender for Storm’s World Title by the end of the broadcast. Who will get the next shot at the gold?

– Also on Thursday night, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy makes his in-ring wrestling return against Bully Ray! Can Hardy capitalize on his second chance – or will Bully Ray ruin Hardy’s return? Tune in and find out!

– Gail Kim also makes her return to action on IMPACT WRESTLING, facing Tara in a Knockouts match! The question is, will Knockouts Champion Velvet Sky be waiting to get revenge on Gail for attacking her last week? Or, will Knockouts VP Karen Jarrett continue to make Velvet’s life a living hell?

– Plus, the Television Championship will be on the line as Eric Young defends against Robbie E….in addition, Christopher Daniels battles Rob Van Dam….and more!

Also appearing on Thursday night – Jeff and Karen Jarrett, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Eric Bischoff and many more!

source: ImpactWrestling

Preview IMPACT WRESTLING On SpikeTV: Shocks & Surprises!

Don’t miss Thursday’s huge IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, featuring the aftermath from our biggest event of the year, Bound For Glory! It’s a night of shocks and surprises on the packed show! Can’t watch IMPACT WRESTLING on Thursday night? Make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the action.

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– Kurt Angle is STILL the World Heavyweight Champion, having defeated Bobby Roode in controversial fashion at Bound For Glory! The champ will appear on Thursday’s broadcast of IMPACT WRESTLING! What’s next for Angle? How will Roode react? Who will step up to challenge him next? Don’t miss it!

– Also, after defeating “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan at Bound For Glory, Sting returned control of TNA to President Dixie Carter! Both “The Icon” Sting and Dixie Carter will appear on Thursday’s huge broadcast on SpikeTV! The question is, what’s next for Hulk Hogan after what happened at BFG? Is it a new era for Hulkamania? How will Eric Bischoff react? Tune in and find out!

– Also at Bound For Glory, a new Knockouts Champion was crowned as Velvet Sky realized her dream of capturing the gold! Velvet will be on the broadcast this Thursday, but Knockouts VP Karen Jarrett isn’t happy that Velvet came out victorious. What will happen between Velvet Sky and Karen Jarrett this Thursday? Is Jarrett about to make Sky’s championship reign a living hell?

– After he was forcefully kicked out of the Immortal alliance last week, “The Monster” Abyss will battle Immortal’s “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner

– Plus, the Knockouts Tag Team Championship will be on the line as titleholders Tara and Brooke Tessmacher defend against Winter and Angelina Love

Also appearing on Thursday night – “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, “The King Of The Mountain” Jeff Jarrett, X Division Champion Austin Aries and many more!

Tara, who is not used to being left off TNA Wrestling’s major events, expressed her disappointment with being left off Bound for Glory.

“It’s the biggest event of the year, and I’ll be honest, I’m not used to not being a participant or at least at Fan Fest. But it is going to be a good show and I wish I was on the card,” Tara told SLAM! Wrestling last Thursday. “I know I’m disappointing a lot of fans who are not getting their Tara fix.”

Tara is glad to be paired with Brooke Tessmacher, who she won the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship with in July.

“She is green,” Tara said of her tag team partner. “I get along with her and we became really good friends. I think they saw that and said, ‘We want to use her more on TV. What better way than to team her with somebody who can teach her a little bit.’ I think it backfired on them, because we’re both a little crazy. When there are people talking to us, it’s hard for us to not goof off and be loud. I think we both have good chemistry with each other. We’re good friends, so it’s nice to work with somebody you like.”

TNA recently appointed Bruce Prichard as Senior Vice President Programming and Talent Relations. She hopes this leads to more television time for herself since she’s been used “twice” on television in the last few months.

“I know him very well. I get along with both Vince Russo and Bruce. I’ll be honest, it doesn’t really matter. I just hope Bruce uses me more. I’ve worked in the last couple of months twice on TV,” said Tara.

“I hope Brooke Tessmacher and myself, we’re tag champs, we won these to defend them, not to be jewelry, not like our earrings, you know what I mean? Not to look good, we want to defend them and wrestle. We thought it would get us more wrestling opportunities. I’m hoping that Bruce considers that.”

The full interview can be accessed here.

— Mixed martial artist Kim Couture stated Wednesday during an interview with Steven Muehlhausen for SportsTownChicago.com that TNA Wrestling has approached herself and Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos about possibly working for the promotion.

Couture and Tara engaged in a shoving match at 2009’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view event. The TNA Knockout later claimed that the scuffle was legitimate.

— Rosita has set up a fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheaTrinidadTMT.

— Tara is advertised to appear at Six Flags in Gurnee, Illinois on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Details are available here.

— 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.

— Velvet Sky is offering custom professional photoshoots through TNA photographer Lee South. Those interested pick the theme and outfit style with an option to purchase the worn outfit after the shoot. Also included are professional prints and behind the scenes video from the photoshoot.

The offer, which is priced at $450.00, is available here.

— TNA Wrestling has announced live events for DAecember 29 in Albany, New York and December 30 in Poughkeepsie, New York at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, Jeff Jarrett, James Storm and Robert Roode have been announced for both shows.

— TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions Tara is advertised to wrestle for FWE Wrestling on Saturday, November 5 in a match against Jackie Haas. The event takes place at 3 Legged Dog Studios in Downtown Manhattan. Visit www.fwewrestling.com for more information.

In Your Head Radio with Tara
Hosts: Jack and Oneinchbiceps
Recap by Taso the Greek
Show available at IYHWrestling.com

Tara (a/k/a Victoria) joins the IYH hosts for the second part of the show. Tara calls out Jack and Inchman about being their favorite Knockout, and talks about her trainer Rob Conway and his metro sexual ways.

Tara talks about her match with Sojo Bolt, her first friend in TNA, and their match to benefit animal rescue upcoming for Remix Wrestling in Ohio. Tara said that Sojo was a great friend in TNA but she was gone way too soon, but now her new friend in TNA is Miss Tessmacher, Brooke Adams. Tara talked about how she gets along great with Tessmacher, and brings up her skill and the fact that she was trained as a wrestler in WWE. Tara said that Tessmacher has the best ass in the business. She went on to say Tessmacher works out four hours a day in order to look that good, though.

Jack asked about the importance of looking good as opposed to being a good wrestler. Tara explained that you need to have both to succeed. She said that the best wrestlers do not get TV time and she experienced this in WWE. She went on to talk about the differences between WWE and Impact Wrestling when she first got to TNA. It was different and refreshing to her to see that wrestling was more important than good looks. The women get as much air time in the ring as they want as well, another difference from WWE. “Walking on egg shells” was another way she put it, her time spent in WWE compared to being in TNA.

Tara and the hosts talked about the main event between Gail Kim and Awesome Kong, and also her main event cage match against Mickie James. She talked about first meeting Awesome Kong. She mentioned that she has not been used a lot recently on TV with Tessmacher as Women’s Tag Champs, but she had no problem going to her bosses and explaining to them that she wants to be a fighting champion. Another difference between TNA and WWE is that you can go to your bosses and tell them how you feel.

Tara talked about the PWI 50 and how it is important to her to be number one on that list. If you are in the wrestling business, you should be trying to be #1 on that list until the day you can no longer wrestle. She hopes to wrestle for a long time.

Her dream match was to wrestle Chyna. She credits Chyna for helping her into WWE. She hoped to get a match with Chyna in TNA but it did not happen.

She would also like to wrestle Eve Torres. She practices BJJ , as does Eve, and this moves the conversation over to UFC. Tara felt that when she first talked about working in MMA she was younger and if she had jumped right in she might have been able to give it a try. But now she feels that women aren’t appreciated in the MMA world. She brings up an injury she suffered on her elbow in her cage match with Mickie James, and that was the end of any serious thought about MMA.

Tara talked about gimmick matches like ladders matches or cage matches. She felt that it was an honor to do a match like that because it meant people had faith in her to do a match like this. They are dangerous and one wrong move could end your career, so they are very scary to do.

Tara talks quickly about radio shows and radio interviews and how most interviewers don’t even know what most women wrestlers do, which she finds insulting.

More on Remix Pro wrestling: Her match against Sojo Bolt is for the #1 contendership to the title, which would mean a match against Sara Del Ray. Tara explained how huge of a match that would be for her as she felt that she would mesh very well with Sara. Also, Tommy Dreamer will be at the show and Tara talked about Tommy Dreamer’s Top 5 Crazy People in the Business list and where she is situated on that esteemed honor roll. Tara talked about Tommy and Chavo Guerrero and how you develop relationships in the business.

A caller asks what is the craziest thing Tara and Brooke Adams do? Tara mentions a Youtube video that everyone can check out of her and Brooke dancing around in a hotel room. Tara and Brooke will break out in song and dance almost anywhere, which sometimes freaks people out. She mentions that she is a huge Vampire Diaries and Twilight fan. She also said she is a huge Twitter fan as well. She talked about how she rescues dogs as well, and mentioned how crazy wrestlers are in general.

IMPACT WRESTLING Preview: Hulk Hogan’s Major Announcement

Don’t miss Thursday’s huge IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, as the road to Bound For Glory on October 16 continues – with Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Sting, Jeff Hardy, Bobby Roode and more! Can’t watch IMPACT WRESTLING on Thursday night? Make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the action.

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan will deliver a major announcement on Thursday’s huge IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c! What does Hogan have planned just weeks before Bound For Glory? Don’t miss it, as Hogan promises to drop a bombshell!

– Speaking of Hulk Hogan, his Bound For Glory opponent – “The Icon” Sting – has asked for time to get some things off his chest. In fact, rumor has it Sting wants to speak DIRECTLY to the members of Fortune! Don’t miss the start to the huge broadcast!

– Also, Fortune members will battle this Thursday as Bobby Roode will battle “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles in a huge bout! Roode will fight for the World Heavyweight Championship at Bound For Glory, but first he has to make it past AJ Styles! Certainly, current World Champion Kurt Angle will be watching as he attempts to drive a wedge between the members of Fortune!

– In high-flying X-Division action, there will be a Ladder Match this Thursday on SpikeTV to determine who gets the X Championship shot against Austin Aries at Bound For Glory: Jesse Sorensen vs. Kid Kash vs. Alex Shelley vs. Zema Ion vs. Brian Kendrick

– The final “Queen’s Qualifier” takes place to determine the competitors in the Knockouts Championship match at Bound For Glory! This Thursday, Madison Rayne battles Tara, with the winner advancing to the Pay-Per-View!

– Plus, Crimson makes his return to IMPACT WRESTLING following his injury at the hands of Samoa Joe, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy continues his quest for redemption and so much more!

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on Spike at 9/8c! If you can’t watch it live, make sure to set your DVR!

— On last Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling, Sting defeated longtime rival Ric Flair to earn the right to face Hulk Hogan at Bound for Glory. The match will feature a stipulation as ImpactWrestling.com posted a graphic advertising the contest as a “Battle For Control Of The Company.”

The graphic, however, was removed from the website Sunday.

On the March 3 episode of Impact, Hogan regained storyline ownership of TNA after winning a court battle against Dixie Carter.

— Angelina Love, Madison Rayne and Tara are offering custom professional photoshoots through TNA photographer Lee South. Those interested pick the theme and outfit style with an option to purchase the worn outfit after the shoot. Also included are professional prints and behind the scenes video from the photoshoot.

Prices are set at $325.00 for Angelina, $300.00 for Madison, and $450.00 for Tara. The offer is available at shop.leesouth.com.

— The September 15 episode of Impact Wrestling featuring Sting vs. Ric Flair garnered a 1.20 cable rating, up from 1.02 the week before. The program averaged 1,640,000 viewers compared to 1,358,000 the week before.

Recent ratings: September 1 (1.06), August 25 (1.21) August 18 (1.05), August 11 (1.07), August 4 (1.14).

— This week’s Impact Wrestling Post Show features interviews with two top Knockout tag teams. Rosita and Sarita talk about their match on last night’s episode of Impact Wrestling and their opponents Tara and Brooke Tessmacher. Tara and Tessmacher then give their thoughts on Mexican America as well as the new Knockouts VP, Karen Jarrett.

To view the episode, click here.

source: F4WOnline.com

SHIMMER Champion Madison Eagles has earned the number one position in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s fourth annual “PWI Female 50” list, which ranks the top 50 women’s wrestlers in North America from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. She succeeds Michelle McCool, who ranked No. 1 in last year’s list.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated attributes their decision to ranking Eagles as the top women’s wrestler in North America with the following: “This year’s list was unlike any other in the four-year history of the “Female 50.” For one thing, there was no obvious frontrunner in either WWE or TNA. Last year’s number one, Michelle McCool, retired after a few lackluster months. The WWE Divas title dropped in prominence and was held for a significant amount of time by Brie Bella who, while improved, doesn’t exactly conjure thoughts of Sensational Sherri or Trish Stratus.”

Mickie James and Madison Rayne were also considered for the top spot, but for a variety of reasons, were ultimately deemed not worthy.

“So we made a bold decision. We looked to the indies. Two possible candidates were SHIMMER champion Madison Eagles and WSU champion Mercedes Martinez. It was a difficult choice to make,” the magazine explains. “Fortunately for us, Martinez and Eagles faced off in March for Eagles’ SHIMMER title. Eagles managed to win a terrific match, which proved to be the deciding factor in our decision.”

PWI also explains how the “Female 50” was determined: “To determine this list, we evaluated each woman’s innate wrestling ability, accomplishments during the past year, physical strength and conditioning, quality of opposition, charisma, and title success.”

Some women’s wrestlers contracted to WWE and TNA, such as Nikki Bella, Rosa Mendes, Tamina and Brooke Tessmacher, were left off the “Female 50” because PWI felt they did not earn a spot over some of the independent talent listed. The magazine explains, “While being on WWE’s or TNA’s global platform helps your chances, it doesn’t mean you get a free passage onto the “Female 50.”

1. Madison Eagles
2. Mercedes Martinez
3. Mickie James
4. Natalya
5. Madison Rayne
6. Cheerleader Melissa
7. Beth Phoenix
8. Tara
9. MsChif
10. Sara Del Rey
11. Eve Torres
12. Angelina Love
13. Layla
14. Sarita
15. Kelly Kelly
16. Serena Deeb
17. Velvet Sky
18. Ayako Hamada
19. LuFisto
20. Winter
21. Brie Bella
22. Angel Orsini
23. Melina
24. Daizee Haze
25. Nikki Roxx
26. Gail Kim
27. Jazz
28. Maryse
29. Christina Von Eerie
30. Portia Perez
31. Rosita
32. ODB
33. Nicole Matthews
34. Rachel Summerlyn
35. Jessicka Havok
36. Brittany Force
37. Kellie Skater
38. Tina San Antonio
39. Melanie Cruise
40. Cherry Bomb
41. Sassy Stephie
42. Tasha Simone
43. Alicia Fox
44. Amber O’Neal
45. Allison Danger
46. Kacee Carlisle
47. Brittany Savage
48. A.J.
49. Melissa Coates
50. Jessica James

— Mickie James beat Winter tonight on Impact Wrestling to capture the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship for the second time. It also marks as her eighth national title victory, breaking Trish Stratus’ record of seven.

— Eric Bischoff appointed Karen Jarrett the VP of the Knockouts division on tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling. In her first act, she made Jackie and ODB full-time roster members. Jarrett then announced that Traci Brooks, who was scripted to act disappointed in being snubbed for the role of Knockout Law, would be her assistant.

Meanwhile, Jackie and ODB have been added to Impact Wrestling’s roster page.

— TNA Knockout Tag Team Champion Tara, Tommy Dreamer and former TNA Knockout Sojo Bolt are advertised to appear for Remix Pro Wrestling on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Marietta Middle School 242 Seventh St. Marietta, Ohio. Visit www.remixprowrestling.com for more information.

Tara published a blog on her official website responding to last week’s report of there being a sizable pay discrepancy amongst the female performers of TNA Wrestling.

Power Slam magazine, the source of the story, said Mickie James and Christy Hemme are the highest-paid female talent in TNA with each earning more than $100,000 per year. Meanwhile, the rest of organization’s female talent earn far less: $600 per appearance at most. Tara says she knows for certain that the article contained multiple inaccuracies.

“With regards to what is said in the wrestling gossip sites, I’m not going to bash them. Sometimes they are accurate, and I wonder how that info got out. But sometimes, and on stuff I know for certain, it can be inaccurate. Again, I don’t know how people get their information. But a perfect example is a couple days ago there was someone talking about the pay for the Knockouts. I know for certain that there were multiple inaccuracies in that article,” Tara wrote.

“Did someone plant the story to cause tension in our locker room, which is especially stress-free these days? Or did someone just mistakenly get some information wrong? Who knows, but that’s my “don’t believe everything you read” speech. If you want to know ask me. I respond to as much as I can on Twitter. What’s my favorite color? Red. How old is my dog Sophie? Three. How much do I get paid as a Knockout? None of your damn business.”

Tara also commented on Matt Hardy, who was arrested nine days ago in Moore County, North Carolina for driving while intoxicated, after crashing into a tree. His contract with TNA was immediately terminated and he was later charged with reckless driving. Hardy was rushed to an emergency room on Wednesday, after falling down in his house.

“A lot of people have asked me about Matt Hardy. Was he really fired? Is his odd behavior for real? I don’t have an inside scoop. But what I can tell you from a dozen years in the wrestling business is that I never know what is real and what is part of a storyline,” she wrote. “Matt always set a new standard as a wrestler, and was a great co-worker and friend. Could this be a storyline? Yes. Could this also be someone who has given 100% to his fans for years and years, and is emotionally drained and just needs some personal time to get his head straight and recharge his batteries? Absolutely. If it is the latter, I know he would be surrounded by friends and family, and we’d see him back somewhere soon, better than ever.”

In regards to Grantland.com’s unflattering article on Ric Flair chronicling the wrestling legend’s string of legal woes, she wrote: “I also saw a lot of comments on the article about Ric Flair. Again, I don’t know how much of that is accurate. I do think that there are a lot of people that if you take their life, and put it under a microscope, and then list all the mistakes that they have made, it would be unflattering. By the same token, and especially with Ric Flair, if you would have listed all the nice things he did, and all the people he helped, and all the young people he guided in this business, and the wrestlers that he sacrificed for so that they could look that much better, you would have had an article ten times as long. The Ric Flair that I have known and worked with in both WWE and TNA/Impact has always been a gentleman and a locker room leader. Let he who is without sin…”

Tara also commented on the departure of a trusted company employee. Her full post can be accessed here.

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.

Gail Kim insisted Friday on her Twitter account that she quit WWE on Monday and was not released.

“I didn’t ask for a release. I QUIT,” she wrote to TNA Wrestling performer Lisa Marie Varon (a/k/a Tara). “Lol meaning I don’t want their money I’d rather be freeeeeeee haha.

She commented further, “I don’t know but I’ve been telling them since Monday I quit. So either they have control issues or they’re in denial.”

WWE, however, has yet to announce that she has been released from the organization. Regarding their lack of announcement, she wrote, “Future endeavor message? Ok here it is: I wish the WWE the best in their future endeavors!”

Varon is lobbying on Twitter for Kim to return to TNA Wrestling, where the Canadian grappler presided as the first Women’s Knockout Champion.

“Super excited to hear about Gail asking for her release. TNA TNA TNA!!!!!” she exclaimed. “Oops I mean Impact Wrestling! Impact Wrestling! Impact Wrestling!!!!”

Christy Hemme, who appears as a ring announcer for TNA, is also lobbying for Kim to return.

“What!??!? Come back to TNA then!!!” she wrote after learning of Kim’s departure from WWE. “Love seeing all the excitement for Gail Kim. My fav bad ass female wrestler makes life on her own terms!! Of course she does!!”

Kim says she is glad to leave WWE, calling it “the best thing ever.”

“Everyone sounds upset or sad or concerned..trust me it’s the best thing ever. Now my life can begin. All the negativity is gone and control over my life. No one can hold me down but me now!”

— ImpactWrestling.com has announced a TNA Knockouts Championship Match for Hardcore Justice. Miss Tessmacher and Tara will defend the straps against Sarita and Rosita, the previous title holders.

Sarita, who announced four weeks ago via Facebook that she had suffered facial paralysis, continued to wear a protective mask at this past weekend’s TNA Wrestling live events in Texas. Her condition, however, has improved in the meantime.

— Matt Hardy, who has been inactive from TNA Wrestling since May 30, posted a status update on Twitter:

“To all of the promoters that have contacted me about working for them, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve kinda got everything on hold for now. I would greatly appreciate your patience in me taking bookings for now, thanks!”

Company officials reportedly suspended Hardy in June due to continuously arriving late to events and posting online of himself urging Jeff Hardy to stun Reby Sky (Matt’s girlfriend) with a taser.

— TNA Wrestling performer Lisa Marie Varon (a/k/a Tara) stated in an interview with Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com that she no longer has aspirations for a career in mixed martial arts. The multi-time women’s wrestling champion cites an injury (a torn ligament in her elbow) during a Steel Cage bout against Mickie James, which will eventually require Tommy John surgery, as the main reason for mixed martial arts no longer being in the cards. Varon also cites her age, and feels that she would have been involved in mixed martial arts if she was ten years younger.

To see the video interview, click here.

— The official Facebook page of Impact Wrestling states that Mickie James will be making an announcement concerning her music career this week.

— TNA Wrestling’s upcoming Jeff Hardy DVD has been titled Enigma 2. It is scheduled for release on Tuesday, October 18.

— Destination X will be released on DVD on Tuesday, September 20.

— TNA Wrestling has reportedly signed Shiima Xion, who participated in the Four-way X Division Showcase tournament final at Destination X. He says he will be appearing on television soon as Zema Ion.

— Tara posted a blog on her official website relaying her gratitude for winning the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship with Miss Tessmacher last Thursday on Impact Wrestling.

She wrote, “I want to discuss the Tag Team belts for a minute. I have been wrestling for 12 years, longer than any female in either WWE or TNA. But I am still a huge fan of the industry. When the wrestlers are watching the show backstage, and someone does some crazy maneuver, the loudest reaction is always from me. And no organization will give a wrestler, or superstar ; ), the opportunity to be in a position to win a championship belt if they didn’t have faith in their character and ability. They used to kid me at WWE because I was so proud of my belt when I had it, and I would carry it around with me backstage. But after I won the tag team belt, I saw Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan watching the show backstage. I thanked them for the opportunity. At first they thought I was joking because I’m a veteran but I was still sooo excited about winning it.

“I have heard it debated whether there needs to be a Women’s Tag Team Belt. And when I was training in MMA, I’ve heard people question the validity of a pro wrestling belt. But let me say this on behalf of Miss Tessmacher and I…we worked very hard to earn these belts. We love them. And every time that we put them on the line, you are guaranteed to see our best and get an unparalleled match. Because we’re the Champs.”

— Kurt Angle will battle Mr. Anderson in a Cage Match on next week’s episode of Impact Wrestling, according to ImpactWrestling.com.

The Bound For Glory Series also continues with two singles matchups: Rob Van Dam vs Gunner and Bully Ray vs Crimson.

— Madison Rayne sent a wrestling blogger a derogatory message via Twitter after reading his review of last week’s episode of Impact Wrestling in which he criticized her comedic match with Tara.

“You sir, are a d*ckhead,” she wrote to Dustin Nichols of the Camel Clutch Blog. “Get a real job. =) that’s all!”

The blogger doesn’t feel he wrote anything horribly offensive or vulgar regarding her match. He further explains the situation here and sends a message to the TNA Knockout.

Miss Tessmacher and Tara are the new TNA Knockout Tag Team Champions as they defeated Rosita and a masked Sarita for the straps on tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling.

Tara secured victory when she powerbombed Sarita and pinned her for the three-count.

A storyline explanation was given for Sarita suddenly donning a protective mask as prior to the match, cell phone video aired of her, Tara, Tessmacher and Rosita brawling following last week’s show. Sarita suffered a broken orbital bone and jaw from the fight, resulting in her need for protection.

Sarita recently suffered facial paralysis, which she announced two weeks ago via Facebook, and legitimately needs to wear the mask. Despite her loss of muscle function, she continues to fulfill her wrestling obligations as she worked this past weekend’s World Wrestling Council Aniversario 2011 events in Puerto Rico. She is also scheduled to work this weekend’s Impact Wrestling live event tour in tag team matches against Tessmacher and Velvet Sky.

Impact began with Sting coming to the ring for a promo. He talks about how insane he is. He calls out Bischoff and Hogan to come out. Kurt Angle comes out in his clown attire from last week and enters the ring. Angle says that he means no disrespect and says that it was him who saved Sting last week because it was the right thing to do. At Hardcore Justice their paths will cross again. Sting says he respects Angle. Angle says he wants to beat Sting since he never has. It has to be Angle because he has no other choice. Sting says they have a dilemma.

Immortal’s music plays and out comes Ken Anderson and Bully Ray. Ray says it is Sting and Angle versus Anderson and Ray tonight.

In a Bound for Glory Series Match, Rob Van Dam defeated Scott Steiner with a rollup.

Mickie James came out for a promo and called out Velvet Sky. Mickie said she has watched Velvet get blamed for other wrestler’s problems. Mickie knows how it gets and its not good. Mickie wants to give Velvet her first knockouts championship shot tonight because Velvet has earned it and says that they are going to tear the roof off the Impact Zone.

Angelina Love and Winter come out. Angelina says she and Winter are competitors and that Mickie and Velvet just need to go get a hotel room. Angelina says that no matter who wins tonight it won’t be long before the title is back around her waist. Winter insults both Mickie and Velvet for a bit before they go to the back.

Backstage Sarita and Rosita are brawling with Tara and Miss Tessmacher. Madison Rayne brawls with Tara as well until referees have to break it up.

Miss Tessmacher and Tara defeat Rosita and Sarita to become the new Knockouts Tag Champions. Tara and Tessmacher jumped Rosita and Sarita when they came out. Sarita was wrestling this match wearing a mask due to her recent facial injury. Tara had Sarita in the Widow’s Peak and Madison ran out while the ref was distracted and Madison tackled Tara. Tara and Miss Tessmacher were able to hit stereo finishers (Stratusfaction by Tessmacher and fireman’s carry into side slam by Tara) for the three count.

In a Bound for Glory Series Match, Matt Morgan defeats AJ Styles, Gunner, and Samoa Joe to earn 10 points.

They show an Eric Young video package with him going into a gas station looking for an opponent to defend his TV title against. He finds D’Lo Brown. D’Lo tells Eric this is a road Eric doesn’t want to go down. Eric rolls up D’Lo and counts the 3 himself and runs from D’Lo. Young gets away and D’Lo says “he didn’t even recognize me.”

In an X Division title match, Brian Kendrick defeated Alex Shelley Shelley hit sliced bread on Kendrick on the apron. When Shelley put Kendrick back in the ring, Aries ran out and hit Shelley with the title and threw him back in the ring for the fall.

Mexican America comes out for a promo. Anarquia comes out and calls what Tara and Tessmacher did earlier garbage. He says they are pissed off and when they are pissed off they kick ass. They call out Beer Money who enter the building and come face to face with Mexican America. James Storm tells them to do everyone a favor and leave the ring, the company, and go cut grass. Storm threatens to kick Anarquia’s teeth down his throat. Since they have been competing in the Bound for Glory Series, they came out to reintroduce themselves to everyone.

Storm says they are the best, being four time tag team champions. Storm says they aren’t going to just beat them, they’re going to kick their asses for the people here, the people watching, and all the Mexcians that came before Mexican America that they are disgracing. At Hardcore Justice, Beer Money will beat them to retain the tag titles. Storm advises them to mark the day after the pay per view on their calendars because Mexican America is going to wake up with their Green Cards stuck straight up their asses. Roode tells then Sorry About your damn luck.

The Knockouts Title Match between Velvet Sky and Mickie James never got to happen. Angelina Love and Winter attacked Mickie as she entered. Velvet tried to make the save. ODB and Jackie came out and attacked Velvet as Angelina and Winter bailed. Traci Brooks then came out for the save. Referees and security had to separate Traci, Mickie, and Velvet from Jackie and ODB. Cops came out and put handcuffs on Jackie and ODB and took them out of the Impact Zone.

TNA World Champion Sting and Kurt Angle defeated Ken Anderson and Bully Ray when Angle pinned Anderson after an Angle Slam. Ray tried to stop Anderson from doing his usual intro because Ray wants to get in the ring and take care of business. Anderson did it anyway. At one point during the match Bischoff came out and said something on commentary.

After the match, Angle and Sting shook hands and Angle pulled Sting in close before leaving the ring.

source: PWInsider.com

Don’t miss Thursday’s huge IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, featuring the aftermath of Sunday’s Destination X PPV event and the World Title rematch between Mr. Anderson and the maniacal Sting! It will be a Midsummer’s Nightmare! Can’t watch IMPACT WRESTLING on Thursday night? Make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the action.

Here is a preview of Thursday’s huge broadcast:

– The event will feature the big World Heavyweight Championship rematch between titleholder Mr. Anderson and Sting! How will Mr. Anderson joining Immortal effect the bout? Does Sting have a plan of his own, or has he truly lost his mind?

– The Jarretts return from Mexico to IMPACT WRESTLING with a surprise for Immortal

– In a Bound For Glory Series match, it will be Samoa Joe vs. Bobby Roode vs. The Pope in a 3-way bout

– In Knockouts action, it will be Madison Rayne vs. Tara one-on-one

– Plus, The British Invasion battle Mexican America for the #1 Contenders to the World Tag Team Title

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV at 9/8c

source: ImpactWrestling.com

— We reported here yesterday that TNA Wrestling officials suspended Matt Hardy due to continuously arriving late to live events. It’s now being said that Hardy’s suspension was also due to the video he posted online of himself urging Jeff Hardy to stun Reby Sky (Matt’s girlfriend) with a taser, “among other reasons.”

Hardy was left off last week’s Impact Wrestling tapings in Orlando, Florida due to the aforementioned reasons.

Matt Hardy tweeted the following statement in response to the online reports: “Just checked out the headlines on the ‘net.. They make me smile :-) Everything’s cool in life-luv it! It’s 95 out but I’m not sweating ;)”

— TNA Knockout Tara has launched an official website at RealLisaMarie.com.

— Rob Van Dam is advertised to appear at the Los Angeles Comic Con, which takes place September 24-25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.

— ImpactWrestling.com has announced a Knockout Street Fight for this Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling as TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Mickie James will battle Winter.

Also announced for Thursday’s show is a Bound For Glory Series match featuring Scott Steiner against Bully Ray. Eric Bischoff will also call out Sting.

— Tara is featured in Impact Wrestling’s latest “Why Wrestling Matters” video. The former TNA Women’s Champion discusses what drives her passion and dedication for professional wrestling.

“It is baffling to me that wrestling has become a bad word. I don’t buy it,” Tara says. “What do we out there? We wrestle. That is the base of what we do and we take so much pride to be here. This is not just a job to me; I eat, sleep and breath wrestling.

“I bust my butt out there… torn ligament, torn ACL, broken nose, chipped teeth; strictly for entertaining.”

To see her video message, click here.