Talk of pay issues in TNA continue as wrestlers and production workers continue to be well behind on payments. As of this past weekend, TNA’s production crew were more than two months behind on pay, as they had not yet been paid for the February pay-per-view tapings or any other events since then.

To make matters worse, workers received pay in April for the January tour of the United Kingdom, which was almost 70 days late. Not only were the checks issued late, they were reportedly short $1,000 per person.

Additionally, the TNA production crew found out that TNA talents were finally being paid for the March tapings while they had still not been paid for the production work they did back in February.

TNA had similar issues with pay in 2014 that were actually more significant than this, however one particular production worker in the company noted that this is the third year in a row where there were issues with late payments. While they have dealt with payments being late in the past, the fact that several of the checks were short on money is a new issue, and one that was likely a big morale-killer.

• PHOTOS: Ronda Rousey Bikini Photo Shoot!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

TNA issued the following press release on Thursday to announce a new Brazilian television deal with Esporte Interativo.

TNA DEBUTS IN BRAZIL ON TOP SPORTS NETWORK ESPORTE INTERATIVO

Rio de Janeiro (Thursday, March26, 2015): TNA IMPACT WRESTLING has arrived on Brazilian TV screens for the first time ever, after a deal between the company and major free to air sports broadcaster Esporte Interativo (EI).

The new partnership, which began this month, brings TNA Superstars including Kurt Angle, Lashley, Bobby Roode, Jeff Hardy, MVP, EC3, James Storm, Gail Kim and Taryn Terrell to one of the world’s largest and fastest growing TV markets.

Flagship programme IMPACT WRESTLING will first air on Esporte Interativo every Sunday at 10pm. Fans will also be able to watch TNA’s monthly PPV and One Night Only events, as well as TNA Xplosion – which will broadcast every Monday at 7.45pm. All shows will be repeated throughout the week, so as many fans as possible are able to tune in.

Programming will air in Portuguese, thanks to a dedicated Brazilian announce team.

TNA will join global brands including the NFL and the UEFA Champions League on Esporte Interativo, which can be seen by 105 million people in Brazil and is also the home of MMA in the country. Turner Broadcasting, the television arm of the American media group Time Warner, recently became the sole owner of the network.

TNA President Dixie Carter said: “To partner with Esporte Interativo, a major Brazilian network with a reach of more than 100 million people, is another significant chapter in the incredible TNA international story and an important milestone as we look to expand across South America.”

• Brock Lesnar Reveals Specifics On The VERY LUCRATIVE Offer He Turned Down From UFC

– Lucha Underground preview for tonight:

* Carnitas vs Mariachi Loco.

* Mil Muertes vs. Ricky Mandell.

* Fenix Jr. vs. Pentagón Jr. vs. Drago.

Also appearing are Chavo Guerrero, Konnan and more.

– TNA Impact Wrestling Preview:

* An announcement from X-Division champion Samoa Joe.

* Gunner vs. Samuel Shaw in a No DQ match.

* Eric Young vs. Tyrus.

* Taryn Terrell vs. Madison Rayne.

Plus, Davey Richards responds to James Storm’s ultimatum.

* Why The 10-Man SURVIVOR SERIES Main Event Is A Very Bad Idea (Editorial & Discussion)

News broke today that Spike TV would not be renewing their television deal with TNA. The company – which is owned by Dixie Carter and currently employs Vince Russo – has had financial difficulties in the past.

In fact, it has almost become a joke to post pictures of TNA crowds on social media websites in recent weeks, as they more closely resemble the crowds one would find at a small county fair, not a touring professional wrestling promotion.

This recent TNA crowd perfectly illustrates why the company is having a hard time securing a television deal.

Although Spike TV decided not to renew TNA’s contract, the current deal still runs through October, providing the company with a few months to find a new home for Impact Wrestling. Initial reports indicate that there is little chance of that happening, however, as few cable providers will be willing to pay the company what Spike TV was paying to air TNA programming.

With their television revenue gone at the end of October and poor ticket sales not bringing in enough to keep the company afloat, Monday’s announcement was likely the death of TNA. With that said, it will be interesting to see if TNA’s departure from the world of televised wrestling will affect the WWE.

After acquiring WCW in March of 2001, the WWE held a virtual monopoly on the world of televised wrestling in the United States. That monopoly was eventually broken after Jeff Jarrett founded TNA in May of 2002. Although TNA has never provided the same level of competition that WCW brought to the table during the 1990s, it at least prevented the WWE from acting as a monopoly.

Other promotions have gained a sizable following in the United States (ROH, CZW, etc.), but TNA has been the only company the WWE had had to worry about finding on television.

The following is from ImpactWrestling.com:

TNA Wrestling To Make Major Announcement at London Film & Comic Con (LFCC)

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING will make a major announcement for British and Irish fans at the London Film & Comic Con (LFCC).

The announcement will be made as part of a special TNA panel Q&A for fans and media at the event at 5pm on Saturday July 12 in Earls Court 2.

Taking place from July 11-13 at Earls Court, LFCC is Europe’s largest signing event with 100,000 people expected through the doors.

Fans will be able to meet TNA Superstars James Storm, Magnus, Brooke, Robbie E, Al Snow and Jeremy Borash throughout the weekend.

As well as the best that TNA has to offer, London Film & Comic Con will also star Carrie Fisher, Stan Lee, John Hurt, Michael Madsen, Jenna Coleman and guests from Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, The Walking Dead, Battlestar Galactica, Lord Of The Rings, Heroes and more – giving fans the chance to meet more than 100 idols of the big and small screen.

To find out more visit www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com

Gunner joined TNA in 2010 but his story goes back to 2001 when he began wrestling but a year later he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a Machine Gunner and reached the rank of lance corporal serving in the Iraq War.

The 32-year-old from Hickory, North Carolina, is a one-time TNA tag team champion with James Storm and a one-time TNA Television Champion.

We caught up with Gunner to talk about working with the Nature Boy Ric Flair, his dad being involved in story lines, wanting to become TNA Champion, plus much more.

Q. How did you first get into the sport of professional wrestling?

I’ve been a wrestling fan since the age of five and I started wrestling in 2001, and i joined the marine corp 2002 to 2006. I was wrestling before i went to bootcamp and during my time in the marine corp I would travel 20 hour round trips or so every weekend I could to wrestle on certain shows, so I was juggling both at the same time. I’m just living my dream.

Q. Who were some of the wrestlers that you enjoyed watching whilst growing up?

I could sit here and talk to you about that all day, some of the ones that come to mind are; Macho Man Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and Ric Flair. The main one for me was Macho Man, I was a massive fan of Randy Savage.

Q. What has it been like getting to work with guys you enjoyed watching like Kurt Angle and Ric Flair?

They are both very knowledgable guys, so it was great for them to pass their knowledge on to the younger guys like myself who are the future of the company and the future of the business.

Ric managed me for a while so he would be at ringside for my matches, and just him knowing how to tell a story and paint a picture was amazing. Kurt Angle is a machine, anytime you’re in the ring with him you are going to have to work, but that is great, it has taught me the never say die attitude.

Q. What has it been like in the TNA dressing room with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Sting, AJ  Styles, Christopher Daniels and Kazarian all leaving the company?

Professional wrestling is a business and like anyone that works in any business we are all expendable. All of those guys that have left the company are off still doing great things, and even though it’s a shame to lose top guys like that it gives the younger guys in the locker room the opportunity to step up to the plate. Those are big boots to fill, nobody is going to be the next Sting or AJ Styles but it gives us a chance to build new characters and new stars.

Q. Your rivalry with James Storm saw some real life elements brought in the the storyline, was that something you enjoyed?

James and I have our differences and we just don’t like each other, but he is still an amazing performer, he can fight and he knows what he is doing in the ring. Those matches I had with James enabled me to step up even more, and it has given the fans the opportunity to invest in my character.

Bringing my father into the storyline was a great experience that I enjoyed. Wrestling is totally different now to when I was a kid, when everything was larger than life and seemed as though it had just come out of a comic book, the guys could still work but now the fans want to know what the wrestlers are like in real life.

Q. What is your next target?

I’ve got my eyes on the big prize, the TNA Heavyweight Title. I feel like I was robbed on the last TNA tour in the UK when I wrestled Magnus for the title and James Storm interfered. I think I’m ready for another title shot, Eric Young is the champion and we have a friendship but when it comes to business we both want to be world champion. Obviously he doesn’t want to lose it, but I want to win it, that is my main goal to be champion.

For more information you can follow Gunner on Twitter @TNA_GUNNER

– TNA recently asked fans via their official Facebook page whether they prefer a traditional four-sided ring, or the old six-sided rings that they used to use. It should be noted that most of TNA’s old six-sided rings have been converted to traditional four-sided rings.

– TNA recently gave up approximately 25-percent of their corporate office space they were renting in Nashville, Tennessee. Most of the space that they gave up was previously being used to store TNA merchandise, which is now being kept in a separate warehouse.

TNA recently issued the following press release:

Challenge and TNA Entertainment have joined forces for a historic announcement – teaming up to deliver TNA’s first ever wrestling programming specifically designed for a family audience.

An all-new version of TNA Xplosion will air weekly on Challenge from Saturday May 31 at 9am. The show has been reformatted with families in mind and to purposely differentiate itself from TNA’s flagship post-watershed programme IMPACT WRESTLING.

Xplosion – which is hosted by Jeremy Borash and features a mix of new matches, classic bouts and the hilarious ‘Spin Cycle’ panel debates – will also continue to be shown in its current late night timeslot of 11pm on Wednesday evenings. TNA IMPACT WRESTLING is broadcast every Sunday at 9pm.

Challenge can be viewed across the UK and Ireland on Sky (145), Freeview (46), Virgin Media (139) and Freesat (145).

TNA President Dixie Carter said: “Xplosion moving to Saturday morning on Challenge is a strategic and natural evolution of TNA programming, as our product resonates with fans of all ages.

“Families with young children are always strongly represented during TNA’s annual MAXIMUM IMPACT Tour. I am confident with the new format and time slot of Xplosion we will continue to attract new fans, particularly kids.

“Ask any TNA Superstar and they will tell you, there is no greater feeling than seeing the eyes of a child light up when he sees his favourite wrestler in action.

“Through TNA’s flagship IMPACT WRESTLING programme and the all-new Xplosion, combined with innovative and engaging content delivered daily through our digital and social channels, there are more ways than ever to engage fans with the TNA brand.”

Stephen Ladlow, Director of Challenge, commented: “As the exclusive home of TNA in the UK and Ireland, it’s great to be able to bring TNA to a whole new audience with our new family friendly show.

“We know that the TNA UK Tour attracts fans of all ages, so it seems fitting that Challenge can now cater for them whether young or old with this new Saturday morning Xplosion show.”

Jeremy Borash added: “TNA’s awesome fans across the UK and Ireland can expect Xplosion to showcase their favourite TNA Superstars each week, with an emphasis on two of the most popular types of matches, X-Division and the Knockouts.

“With exciting competition in the ring and the popular ‘Spin Cycle’ panel, the new Xplosion will be must-see Saturday morning TV!”

TNA also have a special Family Package for all those wanting to attend the MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 Tour, which comes to Glasgow, Manchester and London in January 2015. Anyone buying four tickets together (maximum of two adults) can enjoy a 20 per cent discount on the standard ticket price.

Full details on the TNA UK Tour – including dates, venues, roster and ticket prices – can be found by visiting www.impactwrestling.com/uktour

– Despite previous speculation, Tara (Lisa Marie Varon) did not return at TNA’s all-Knockouts “One Night Only” pay-per-view taping in Orlando on Saturday night. The list of Knockouts that did work the show include Reby Sky, Maxine, Veda Scott, Scarlett Bordeaux, Jessicka Havok, Deonna, Mia Yim and Marti Belle.

– Bandai Namco is working on a “TNA 2” mobile game that is scheduled to be released later this year. You can check out a trailer for the game below:

Eric Young has been in TNA for nearly a decade and in that time we have seen him be a member of Team Canada, a stint a a comic book hero Super Eric, all the way through to being the top dog in the company and current TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

The 34-year-old from Florence, Ontario, Canada has won numerous titles turing his time in the company including; X Division champion, multiple time Tag Team champion, Television champion and ever Knockouts Tag Team champion with ODB, however the current title around his waste tops the lot.

We caught up with EY to talk about, getting to work with some of his heroes, his Animal Planet shows, and of course the night he was crowned TNA World Champion, plus much more.

Q. How did you first get into the sport of professional wrestling?

I’ve been a fan since I was five-years-old, I’ve watched it my whole life and it’s all I ever really wanted to do. The week after I finished high school I began training at a gym, and three months after that I had my first pro match and it ha just snowballed from there. I’ve wrestled in all 50 states, every province, wrestled all over the world and now I’m the World Heavyweight champion, it has been a pretty wild ride.

Q. When growing up who were some of the wrestlers that you enjoyed watching?

Being from Canada, Bret and Owen Hart were massive influences on me. Then there were guys like Sting, Terry Funk, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, I have a huge list of wrestlers that I enjoyed watching. I loved Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior, there was just something about it from the age of five or six and I  couldn’t get enough.

Still to this day I have lots of VHS tapes with tens of thousands of wrestling, I loved it when I five and I still love it today.

Q. You’ve had the chance to work with the likes of Sting, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, what was it like working with guys you grew up watching?

It’s hard to put that into words, these were guys that I idolised growing up, these were people that I wanted to be. I actually got to wrestle Sting in his first match back after 10 years away, and just being in the ring with him was a dream come true but very surreal at the same time. Sting was always good to be, Hulk as well, they always had time for me and it was great to be able to share a locker-room with guys like that and be on the same roster.

Q. The likes of Sting, Hulk Hogan, AJ Styles, and Jeff Jarrett have all left TNA in recent months, what has that been like?

There is always massive turnover in professional wrestling, people come, people go, some people go to work in other places and some people end up coming back, that is just the nature of the beast. It’s never nice to see anyone go, but I’m still really good buddies with AJ Styles and we talk whenever we get a chance – we’re actually planning on doing a bike trip together in the summer.

Q. When you first started in TNA did you ever think you’ll become World Heavyweight champion?

It’s always something that I wanted, and personally it’s always something I believed I could do. I don’t think there is anybody that doesn’t want to become World Heavyweight champion when they are in this business. The night I won the belt from Magnus on IMPACT! was a great feeling, I’m not taking anything away from him, it was an amazing match and he’s a super talented guy but I was better that day and now I’m the World champion and that sounds kind of crazy to say out loud.

Q. What can we expect from you as Champion?

I told the fans and I meant it, that I’m going to be a fighting champion, that’s the kind of champion I like and that is the kind of champion I’m going to be. Every chance I get to defend my title I will, I will defend my title against anybody, anytime, any place, any time.

Q. Who are some of the people you are looking forward to defending your title against?

The list is huge, pound-for-pound TNA has one of the pro wrestling rosters in the world. I’ve got a massive history with Bobby Roode, and he was they guy that held the belt longer than anybody, I would love to get in the ring and test myself against him.

Guys like Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, Austin Aries, James Storm, Gunner, Ken Anderson, these are all guys that I want to defend my belt against. They are all worthy, they all deserve a shot at the belt and secondly I want to test myself against the best and see what happens.

Q.  What have been some of the highlights for you during your 10 year tenure in TNA?

Obviously my favourite moment was that night on IMPACT! when I won the gauntlet match and then went on to wrestle Magnus and become the World Heavyweight Champion for the first time. I wouldn’t change anything about my journey, it’s been an amazing journey, I’ve done all these different roles – I’ve been X-Division Champion, I’ve Tag Team champion on numerous occasions, I’ve held the TV title, I’ve even won the Knockouts Tag Titles with ODB.

One of the things I’m most proud of is being on television every week for nearly 10 years, which is something not many people are able to do. I think that shows my versatility, you never know what is going to happen next in this industry, it’s a crazy business but it has been great to experience all of it, the good, the bad and the indifferent.

I’ve always prided myself when the fans say things like, Eric Young is the most entertaining guy in professional wrestling. That’s really important to me, it always has been, it always will be, that’s the name of the game when it comes right down to it, it’s a television show, and it’s about entertaining people, if that with physicality that’s great, if its with comedy that’s great.

My first two years in TNA I didn’t say a singe word, I was the guy on team Canada to carry the action and to be physical, I got hired here because I was a pro wrestler, it had nothing to do with me being funny, and it’s cool to remind people of that because I’m a pro wrestler at my core, or the other stuff is important to me but I’m a pro wrestler first and foremost.

Q. As World Champion, what more can we expect from yourself for the rest of 2014?

More of the same, I’ve always prided myself putting in 100% effort and it doesn’t matter if I’m sick or I’m hurt I will always put in the same amount of effort. As champion I feel that extra weight on my shoulders, being ‘the guy’ it’s important for me that people say Eric Young was involved in the best match on the show. For me it’s about making moments and memories, it’s about making people remember stuff. I’ve had lots of positive feedback so far and I just want to continue defending my belt and being the best I can.

Q. With yourself as TNA Champion and Daniel Bryan as WWE Champion, is it the era of the beard?

Yeah, it’s obviously the era of the beard, I’m not daft, I don’t live under a rock, I hear these things and I’m sure he hears them too. I’ve actually met Daniel in person and I always hear nothing but good things about him. Anytime anyone want to compare me to him, I have absolutely no problem with that, feel free to carry on, he’s a super talented guy and a tremendous wrestler.

Q. Away from wrestling you’ve also presented a number of hit shows on Animal Planet, what has that been like?

It’s amazing, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. I still have other goals in my life but TV is something that I’ve always wanted to do. I love entertaining people, the shows allow me to combine my passion of extreme sports, I’ve always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I’ve been all over North America and done lots of crazy things, and it’s been an amazing experience.

Q. What is it like being a guest on the Steve Austin podcast?

Steve and myself are kind of wired the same way, he loves pro wrestling and always has, I love pro wrestling. He’s also an outdoors man, he loves fishing an he watched my shows on Animal Planet and loved them and through the miracle of Twitter I got talking to him, we went back a forth and hit it off right away.

We’re still buddies and talk to this day. For me he was a guy that I idolised and is one of the top five pro wrestlers of all time. I got to go to his house in LA, we sat around his computer with the microphone and we just talked about wrestling and life.

– John Cena’s feud with. Bray Wyatt feud is expected to continue for some time, past the June 1st WWE Payback pay-per-view.

– Another independent wrestler that was part of Adam Rose’s entourage on RAW was “Portugal’s Perfect Athlete” Shanna, who was previously a TNA Gutcheck contestant.

– As noted earlier, a version of the RAW script that was changed on Monday afternoon featured Daniel Bryan wrestling Batista instead of Kane. Another version had Batista wrestling Roman Reigns, with Reigns getting the victory. WWE announced on Monday afternoon that Evolution would be guest timekeepers during the Wyatt Family vs. The Shield main event, however that idea was nixed as well.

(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)

TNA issued the following press release today …

TNA Entertainment, the Nashville-based sports entertainment company known for the global pro wrestling program, IMPACT Wrestling, has signed with UTA, it was announced jointly today by Dixie Carter, President of TNA Entertainment, and UTA.

TNA Entertainment’s IMPACT Wrestling, one of Spike TV’s top-rated shows, averaging 1.4 million viewers each week, is broadcast in 120 countries worldwide. Additionally, TNA Entertainment produces more than 100 live Impact Wrestling events each year as well as monthly PPV events with such internationally beloved professional wrestling stars as Jeff Hardy, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, Eric Young, Magnus, James Storm, MVP, Gail Kim and the lovely and lethal Knockouts.

UTA will represent the 12-year-old company to extend its television broadcast reach as well as to expand its licensing programs and slate of live event programming. TNA will also leverage UTA’s expertise in digital and social media to build monetization strategies for its digital media operations. TNA launched a cross-platform programming effort, #IMPACT 365, in October 2013 to provide viewers with ongoing storyline and original content 24/7 on its website and across YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and other platforms.

“UTA’s diverse range of capabilities make them an ideal partner to help TNA add tremendous visibility and value to the global IMPACT Wrestling brand,” said Dixie Carter. “We are confident that by working with the UTA team, we will not only expand our wrestling business in exciting ways, but we will also build new entertainment ventures and properties.”

TNA Entertainment, LLC is a privately held sports entertainment company based in Nashville, Tennessee, that specializes in events, products, numerous TV properties, merchandise and music, as well as, the management and promotion of professional wrestlers. The product is the world’s most innovative experience in professional wrestling and is broadcast in more than 120 countries. For more information, please visit www.impactwrestling.com.

United Talent Agency is a premier global talent and literary agency representing many of the world’s most widely-known figures in every current and emerging area of entertainment, including motion pictures, television, digital media, video games, books, music, theatre and live entertainment. The agency is also globally recognized in the areas of film finance, film packaging, corporate consulting, branding, licensing, endorsements and the representation of production talent. The agency operates the brand strategy firm UTA Brand Studio as well as New York and Los Angeles-based United Entertainment Group, a joint venture firm focusing on branded entertainment for Fortune 500 companies. UTA also owns leading broadcast and news agency N.S. Bienstock.

The following are highlights from the latest Jim Ross blog.

On Paul Heyman and Cesaro: “Not sure why as a fan I should dislike Cesaro and it can’t be simply because he’s aligned himself with Paul Heyman. Cesaro simply outwrestles people and is damned impressive while doing it. Some of Cesaro’s matches down in NXT the last year or so were better than anyone on Raw was having at the time.”

On TNA: “Seems like TNA is signing their core talents whose contracts are either up or in need of revising. WWE has seemingly made it clear that they have no interest in Impact talents and will instead reply on their Performance Center for their future stars. However, with Jeff Jarrett preparing to launch another promotion it makes sense for TNA to be proactive.”

On his Ross Report podcast: “Talked to both Cowboy Bill Watts and Tony Schiavone Monday about coming on future Ross Report Podcasts. We’re working on the schedules now. ESPN’s Robert Flores goes live on the Ross Report later today. RoFlo is a life long fan who grew up on Paul Boesch’s Houston Wrestling and has never missed watching a WrestleMania. It’s a great listen and provides a unique prospective from a world class broadcaster especially if any one is interested in that facet of the wrestling biz. You can download my podcasts for free at podcastone.com and via iTunes. I really enjoyed visiting with Robert and think that you will enjoy our conversation.”

Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com.

Multiple TNA stars have been asked to take less money once their existing contracts expire. In some cases with wrestlers who have time remaining on their current deals, they have been approached about restructuring their contracts for less pay.

One performer in the company noted that when Bruce Prichard was the head of talent relations for TNA, he approached several wrestlers about restructuring their deals for less pay (roughly half in many cases) before their contracts expired.

Apparently the same thing is happening again right now.

“Before you know it, they’ll be charging wrestlers to perform,” said one veteran TNA wrestler.

• Major Changes To WMXXX Plans, New Eva Marie Photos + CM Punk At RAW?!(Credit: ProWrestling.net)

Due to TNA’s live event crowds being so small, the company reportedly has to write checks to the arena to settle out. In most cases, when wrestling shows run arenas, they simply give the building a cut of the profits generated from the shows. In TNA’s case, because they don’t generate enough income off of their shows, they end up writing a check to the building.

A good example is the TNA live event at Temple University last December. Apparently TNA had to write a $15,000 check to the building because the money they took in that night wasn’t enough to cover what they owed to the arena for renting the place.

– TNA wrestler Sam Shaw celebrates his 30th birthday today. The TNA performer was born on January 17, 1984.

– The Discovery Channel has announced that they have renewed the television show “The Devils Ride” for a third season. Season three of the show, which is produced by Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey, will debut on February 3rd at 9:00pm E.T.

For more information, visit HollywoodReporter.com.

– Following the recent departure of Wes Brisco and Jay Bradley from TNA, there are sources that claim both Mike Knox and Garett Bischoff may be next to be released from the company.

– The following are some attendance figures for some recent TNA Wrestling live events:

January 10th live event in Bristol, Tennessee drew approximately 800 fans.
January 11th live event in McMinnville, Tennessee drew approximately 1,200 fans.

“The Icon” Sting appeared at both of the aforementioned TNA live events.

– Both Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards have officially arrived in Huntsville, Alabama, the site of tonight’s TNA “Genesis” event. As previously reported, the two are expected to make their TNA debuts tonight. As we mentioned recently on the website, TNA president Dixie Carter teased new talent debuting at Genesis, with the initials “D.R.” and “E.E.” as a tease.

– TNA star Ethan Carter III alluded to the Richards/Edwards debut in addition to hyping his own match with Sting. EC3 posted the following tweet today:

42. @TNADixie promises "New" faces tonight. I promise to become the "New" Icon. Carters always keep their promises. @sting #50TweetsToSting

— ecIII (@EthanCarterTNA) January 16, 2014

The following are highlights of a recent interview with TNA star Gunner:

On having a tryout in front of Hulk Hogan: “I was aware that I was being watched. When I got that dark match, D-Lo said Dixie’s watching, & Hulk’s watching. Here is your opportunity so don’t go out there and screw it up. I’ve always worked well under pressure and I think being in The Marine Corps helps you in dealing with a lot of pressure. It was my opportunity and I was either going to go out there and shine or I was going to burn. Hulk gave me a lot of compliments, not only for my dark match, but throughout the time he was there. He seemed to enjoy a lot of my character, so that meant a lot.

On TNA being on the road versus the Impact Zone: “There are pros & cons to both. Being on the road was great because you get to see different towns and different wrestling fans. The Impact Zone has the same people there usually every week or every month, which is not bad, but then again it’s really nice to get in front of say like, a southern crowd like we will in Alabama for Genesis. It’ll obviously be a hot crowd. But it’s good to be back in the Impact Zone. We have a home base and we know the crowd will be pretty lively.

On AJ Styles leaving TNA: “Superstars leave promotions all the time. It doesn’t mean he (AJ) won’t be back. He may have some things going on that he wants to take care of first. All it is, is giving somebody like me the open door to be the new poster child for the company.

On the state of TNA: “I honestly believe that all is well. It seems that theres’ things going on in WWE that the internet doesn’t hit on. It seems that because we are a younger company, I feel like we are the ones that get hit on so much. I don’t think personally anything is wrong with the company. We’re having more live events in 2014 than we did in 2013. We’re doing the UK tour which is a very huge tour for us plus the new TV deal we just signed in the UK and we’re still with Spike TV, so I don’t think anything’s wrong with the company. I honestly don’t see Impact going anywhere.

On TNA pushing but not committing to young stars: “I understand what you’re talking about and it already happened to me because in 2011 I was in the bound for glory series and I was hot being a singles guy, then I sat home for 8 months, and it wasn’t anything I did wrong, it was just a revamping of the character. There could be things going on behind the scenes that I don’t know about perhaps like somebody not getting along. It is known and it has been said, and Dixie has had conversations with us, and the new talent relations guy said 2014 is the year for the young guys to step up.”

On Jeff Jarrett leaving TNA: “That was kind of out of left field with a lot of us. On a personal level, Jeff helped me a lot also. He was always there for me to ask questions about promos or anything and as far as that, he’s a guy I consider a friend. And on a professional level, I don’t know why he left. Jeff Jarrett is a smart man. He’s a smart business man when it comes to wrestling. He’s been around it his whole life. I wish him luck and hope I get to work with him again someday because he’s always been there for me.”

On how hands-on Dixie Carter is with TNA creative: “When it comes to writing storylines, she doesn’t have any say so in that. She kind of lets the professionals do that. I don’t get to sit in on production meetings so I don’t know what goes on with that stuff. She does keep an eye on everybody and she does watch the show live when we do it. She’s right in front of the monitor in the back. She has input and it is valuable at times because she’s the owner of the company and you definitely want to hear what she has to say.”

Check out the complete interview online at ShiningWizards.com.

TNA has posted the following on their official website, announcing a new fifth match for their upcoming “Genesis” show:

TNA TO BROADCAST GENESIS ON SPIKE TV LIVE FROM HUNTSVILLE, AL., THURSDAY, JAN. 16

TNA is kicking off the new year with a new beginning as for the first time ever, the Genesis Pay-Per-View event will be broadcast free on SPIKE TV live from Huntsville, Ala. Fans will be part of four hours of history-making television as the Superstars of IMPACT WRESTLING bring the hard-hitting, high-flying action of Genesis to two epic IMPACT WRESTLING LIVE! broadcasts scheduled for Jan. 16, and Jan. 23, at 9 p.m. ET, on SPIKE TV.

TNA’s “Genesis” will be a special two-week event on SpikeTV, airing on Thursday, January 16 and Thursday, January 23! Both “Genesis” episodes will feature your favorite TNA superstars competing in high-stakes matches! Featured matches over the two weeks – and more to be announced – include the following:

– “The Icon” Sting vs. Ethan Carter III
– Cage Match: Kurt Angle vs. Bobby Roode
– Bully Ray vs Mr. Anderson
– Knockouts Title: Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne
– Briefcase Match: “Cowboy” James Storm vs. Gunner

– TMZ covered a story involving TNA star Jeff Hardy’s dog breaking a bone in its’ foot last week. Those interested in the story can check it out at TMZ.com.

– TNA has added a new video to their official YouTube channel featuring footage of “The Icon” Sting backstage at a TNA live event this past weekend. The “#IMPACT365” video, which can be seen below, is accompanied by the following description: “Backstage at the IMPACT World Tour Live Event in McMinnville, TN on Saturday night, several lucky fans has the chance to meet the Icon, Sting! Here is the exclusive video!”

http://youtu.be/o80zmi2lZKo

There is a lot of frustration among TNA staffers and office employees towards Dixie Carter. Apparently the feeling within the company is that the office workers aren’t appreciated for their hard work, nor has there been discussions of a raise in pay over the last several years.

Additionally, there is a feeling that TNA president Dixie Carter isn’t as approachable as she once was. It’s being said that Carter no longer goes out of her way to talk to anyone, with some noting that it seems like she’s in her own world these days, whereas she used to be a very approachable boss.

• Huge Update On The TNA Sale, Sting To WWE Update & More

Check out this photo from Friday night’s TNA live event from Bristol, Tennessee (Results). The ring announcer and the referee in the ring indicate that this is not one of those ‘photos taken before the show actually began.’

TNA wrestler James Storm was recently interviewed by the Dothan Eagle newspaper in Alabama about a number of subjects, including his preference in portraying a heel character over a babyface, wanting to work with Roderick Strong or The Young Bucks in TNA, and the fall of tag-team wrestling.

When the discussion of tag-teams in pro wrestling these days came up, Storm stated, “To me, there needs to be more teams, not guys just thrown together, but guys you can relate to.”

Regarding Storm’s previous tag-team with Bobby Roode, Storm noted, “Me and Bobby were thrown together, but we made it work as a tag team. It just takes time, and with the new format of professional wrestling, it’s kind of hard to give that much time to a specific area.”

Check out the complete interview online at DothanEagle.com.

– TNA will be giving away one free ticket to children for every adult ticket purchased for their upcoming “Genesis” show in Huntsville, Alabama.

– Sports Palooza Radio recently interviewed TNA wrestler Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels). You can check out that interview online at BlogTalkRadio.com. (Thanks to reader Mark Kruskol for sending along the link.)

– TNA has added a new video to their official YouTube channel featuring Dixie Carter talking about the company’s new international television deal. You can watch the new “#IMPACT365” video below:

http://youtu.be/1J7a95PR-48