TNA issued a press release on Tuesday formally announcing that Bruce Prichard is the company’s new Senior Vice President of Programming and Talent Relations.

TNA President Dixie Carter said the following about Prichard’s new role in the company:

“TNA is gaining such a wealth of knowledge and insight as we continue to grow our business with the addition of Bruce to our senior management staff.”

“This appointment is another indication to the community that TNA’s Impact Wrestling is gaining ground across all platforms; we are thrilled that Bruce is bringing his knowledge in television production, writing and talent relations to TNA.”

As previously reported, Bruce Prichard took the role of Vince Russo, who now works under Prichard as part of the creative team.

• More On This: Vince Russo Removed as TNA’s Head Writer

Prichard, best known as “Brother Love” in the WWF and a former high-ranking WWE official and confidant of Vince McMahon,  is also quoted in the press release:

“I am looking forward to working with the exemplary talent both in front of the camera and behind the scenes at TNA. ?There are some exciting new ventures in progress as we speak involving the tremendous roster of current TNA superstars, as well as, development for the TNA superstars of the future.”

“We are expanding our roster and looking for new and adventurous additions to our television product. I welcome the challenge and am invigorated by the endless opportunities this company provides. Our fan base for our brand continues to grow and I am proud to be a part of it.”

To read the full statement from TNA, head on over to IconVision.com.

Vince Russo has been removed from his post as the head of TNA’s creative team, according to a report by prowrestling.net.

Russo has been replaced by Bruce Prichard, who is also in charge of TNA’s talent relations.

Russo is not entirely gone, as he’ll still be one of the senior writers for the show along with writer Matt Conway, but Bruce Prichard will now handle the overall direction of the shows and has the final say on the scripts.

This major change to TNA’s creative structure has been in the works for several months and became official within the past week or so.

There are said to be mixed feelings in the TNA locker room regarding Bruce Prichard getting so much power in TNA so early into his run with the company – but at the same time, Russo’s demotion is sure to make many people happy.

* Contracts Expiring For SEVERAL Of TNA’s Top Stars

(Source: prowrestling.net)

Hulk Hogan and TNA Wrestling head writer Vince Russo engaged in a heated argument last Sunday at Hardcore Justice regarding the finish to the World Heavyweight Championship Match between Sting and Kurt Angle. Hogan later grumbled to colleagues that Russo doesn’t know anything because he was never a wrestler.

The two former World Heavyweight Champions made up at the following day’s Impact Wrestling tapings. There was, however, noticeable tension among the organization’s high ranking officials in the days that followed. Several employees feel it did more damage to a locker room already low in morale.

There has also been internal complaints regarding Eric Bischoff as many wrestlers feel he’s arrogant and snobbish. His criticisms over in-ring performances fall on deaf ears because some wrestlers don’t respect his opinion regarding their craft. An Eight-Man X Division Gauntlet Match that was originally taped on Tuesday was re-shot the following day because Bischoff didn’t like it.

source: ProWrestling.net

— The Wrestling Observer reports that Hulk Hogan was overheard saying at last month’s E3 Expo in Los Angeles that Vince Russo was to blame for the quality of Impact Wrestling. Hogan’s remarks were in response to fans telling him that Impact is bad.

Hogan was on hand for the event to promote his new video game, Hulk Hogan’s Main Event.

— TNA Wrestling has reportedly dropped Sangriento, a masked character billed from Tijuana, Mexico. The character, who was played by Amazing Red, was introduced shortly after WWE debuted Sin Cara. Sangriento is still listed on the TNA Wrestling roster page.

— TNA World Heavyweight Champion Mr. Anderson and WWE Hall of Famer Sunny are advertised to apepar at K & M All Star Sports at the Crystal Mall 850 Hartford Turnpike Waterford, Connecticut this Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visit www.kmallstarsports.net for more information.

— Velvet Sky will join TNAOnDemand.com subscribers in a first-ever ChatTNA “Chat With The Stars” on Sunday, April 17 during the Lockdown pay-per-view. Sky will chat live with guests for a thirty-minute fan interaction offered free for all participants at TNAOnDemand.com. Then, she will grace her presence in an exclusive VIP chat available for anyone who purchases TNA Lockdown via TNAOnDemand.com.

To participate in the VIP Chat, purchase a single pay-per-view or annual pay-per-view pass from TNAOnDemand.com before Lockdown and a free pass will be issued to the VIP Lounge. Free participants to the thirty minute pre-show can participate in the chat at tnaondemand.com/chat.html.

— TNA Wrestling has launched a mobile version of their official website via tnawrestling.com/?m.

— Jeremy Borash said on Twitter that Vince Russo has registered an account on the social networking site and that he will make it public in the future.

— Matt Hardy posted a video on YouTube on Tuesday entitled “The NWO Shane Helms.” It was removed within fifteen minutes. According to multiple witness accounts, Hardy appears in the video while a friend of his utters numerous homophobic slurs. TNA Wrestling officials are reportedly aware of its content.

— The son of TNA Wrestling creative writer Vince Russo was recently hired to work for the organization in Nashville, Tennessee in a beginner’s production capacity.

— Last Thursday’s TNA Wrestling live event in Fargo, North Dakota drew 600 fans. Friday’s show in Grand Forks, North Dakota drew 1,000 while Saturday’s event in Bemidji, Minnesota did 1,200.

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

Power Slam recently conducted an interview with Wayne Keown, better known as Dutch Mantel. Having been involved with the wrestling industry since 1973, he accepted a behind the scenes role with TNA Wrestling in 2003, where the company’s booking strategy often clashed with his own. Dutch discussed his experience with TNA and explained the organization’s booking philosophy.

After you left the IWA in 2003, you took a job on the TNA creative team. Your booking philosophy was at odds with TNA’s during Vince Russo’s early years with the company and after he officially returned in September 2006, I know you believe wrestling should be realistic, and feature clearly-defined characters and logical storylines which build to a conclusion. And, yet, you worked alongside Russo from September 2006 to summer 2009, a period in which TNA’s output typically consisted of the reverse: puerile characters and nonsensical storylines in a package which was often congested viewers found it impossible to digest what they had just seen.

I like Dixie Carter, but you can’t have too much [on iMPACT!]. They are so afraid somebody’s going to change the channel and go somewhere else.

I think TNA’s roster is much better than WWE’s. But when you’ve got someone like AJ Styles, you’ve got to let him wrestle. You’ve also got to get your characters over. TNA to me is trying to do the same things that WWE is doing. They’re trying to be a copy — and not a good one — instead of being the alternative. [TNA] has come under criticism … but the company can do what they want to do. Then again, I spent six years there watching them do things differently to how I would do them.

When Russo proposed ideas which you thought were ridiculous during creative meetings, would you object to them?

Everything in TNA was done by committee, by vote. I’ll say this about Vince: he has some pretty decent ideas at the start, but what he’s lacking — and Bret Hart, “Stone Cold” and even Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff have said this as well — is the execution of the ideas. You’ve got to take a good idea all the way through to the end of the process. And when the ideas failed, as most of them did, well … Look [TNA] was a committee. If the committee decided that was the way to they wanted to go, then I would say, “Okay, let’s do it.

If people in power realize that the “execution of the ideas” in which Russo is “lacking”, why doesn’t somebody force him to rectify this and do his job properly?

Well, I don’t know.

Russo can’t see how flawed his approach is. If he could, he would have corrected it years ago. I think the burning question is, why is the man still employed by TNA?

I do think his major attribute is being able to stay employed. I don’t know how he does it to tell you the truth. When I was there, we got a 1.3 rating. Since I left in July 2009 (note: interview was conducted in January), they haven’t gone above a 1.3. We’re 18 months later, and TNA has got Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, Rob Van Dam, Jeff Hardy, and the ratings haven’t even gone up. Look, I wish them all the best in the world, I really do. I like Jeff Jarrett and Dixie — but if you expressed an opinion in TNA, sometimes [the booking team] would look at you like you’d just spit on the Pope. I spoke a language they didn’t speak. I spoke wrestling. They don’t speak that.

source: Power Slam

— While Matt Hardy has accused “dirt sheet” reporters of having an agenda for critically panning his TNA Wrestling debut against Rob Van Dam at Genesis, none of his new co-workers have defended the match.

“He’s so bloated he can’t even move,” observed one TNA wrestler.

The wrestler also questioned what Hardy brings to the company at this point. He pointed out that his brother has surpassed him in verbal ability not to mention that he’s a better heel.

— The TNA Wrestling creative team are under the impression that there is “nothing to worry about” in regards to Jeff Hardy’s current legal matter.

— TNA Wrestling head writer and former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vince Russo celebrates his 50th birthday today.

source: Pro Wrestling Torch

WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart was interviewed this week by Brian Fritz of Fanhouse.com to promote the new SmackDown vs. RAW 2011 video game.

Hart had some pretty harsh words about TNA Wrestling, saying it’s run by people who don’t know anything about the wrestling business and feature dinosaurs on television that take time away from the company’s real stars. Here are some highlights of what Bret said about:

Hogan, Bischoff & Russo Together Again In TNA:

“Well, I’ll be honest. After being in WCW and being around them, you start to realize that these guys — Bischoff in particular — never understood or knew anything about wrestling. They just struck me as guys that didn’t understand wrestling. To see them working with another company now, to me, I think you’ll eventually see that they don’t know anything. They didn’t know anything then and they don’t know anything now. They’re not going to make a difference anywhere they go.”

TNA’s Young Talent Getting Smothered By Dinosaurs:

“Yeah, competition is always good. I have a lot of respect for the young wrestlers there like AJ Styles and Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe, Abyss, different guys. I know they’ve got a lot of talent there and guys that I consider good friends of mine including RVD (Rob Van Dam). I wish them all the best and I hope the younger stars get a chance to show what they’ve got rather than coming back to the old dinosaurs like Hulk Hogan or Eric Bischoff with the same old certain babble that he’s been doing for 10 years when he’ll babble about nothing. He somehow positions himself to be a star on the show and I think there’s real stars that need to get that light and not him.”

• Related: VIDEO From “Bret Hart Appreciation Night” at MSG

– Vince Russo is looking to become Executive Producer of TNA iMPACT, if he leaves the creative team. This is similar to the job that Kevin Dunn holds on WWE’s RAW brand.

– Despite returning to the ring already, Kurt Angle is still banged up from the Lockdown match with Mr. Anderson. Angle hurt his ribs again at the May 21st TNA live event.

– Speaking of busted ribs, Homicide is also nursing some soreness after working in a bad ring on the independent scene a few weeks back. Homicide aggrivated the injury even worse during a match with Japanese legend Jushin Lisger at the May 22nd for Jersey All Pro show.

– As previously reported, the reason TNA did the storyline with taking Mick Foley off TV was because he was running out of dates on his contract. Foley recently pitched an idea to TNA officials that he’d return this summer with a new stable. It’s been speculated in the past that Foley would team up with a group of ECW Originals.

Props: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Eric Bischoff has responded to a fan question about Jim Cornette’s recent death threats to TNA creative member Vince Russo.

Read More: Cornette Threatens Russo, Receives Legal Letter From TNA

A fan asked Bischoff on Facebook: “Cornette knows this business and is quite intelligent but either he’s suffering from dimentia or he has realized that he has burned every viable bridge and has become desperate to get over using the “shock” approach. It comes off as pathetic. If that’s how you feel then keep it to yourself. Mr. Tayler really had no choice in this matter. Heaven forbid if Mr. Russo would have been murdered (by Cornette or anybody else) then Mr. Tayler could have been in a lot of hot water.”

Bischoff responded with some harsh words for Cornette, who he calls a “low rent con man:”

“Cornette doesn’t know any business. He is a low rent con man that is only good at gaining the attention of the internet wrestling community. He’s all yours! Trust me, he never has nor ever will become a part of a meaningful national promotion. But if you are looking for a bootleg dvd or a fake autograph….hes your guy!”

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– TNA has either made a direct offer or has sent strong hints to Paul Heyman that he would be welcomed on the TNA creative team. Heyman coming into TNA has been a popular topic of discussion backstage, especially among the many ECW originals currently with the company. While there is still a chance Heyman comes to TNA, it’s been said that it was looking more likely a few weeks ago and the more he hears about what’s going on behind the scenes, the less interested he becomes.

– Vince Russo will be moving from Colorado to Nashville soon. As previously reported, Russo has been telling people he’s been burt out lately from writing and could be taking a different role in the company when he moves to Nashville.

Former TNA creative writer Jim Cornette published today on his official website a strongly worded e-mail he sent to Terry Taylor, TNA Wrestling’s Director of Talent Relations, saying that while he meant no ill will towards anyone in the company, he would murder writer Vince Russo if he could.

Included in the e-mail is descriptive passage saying he regularly wakes up from dreams in which he’s in the act of murdering Russo and that he would willingly go to jail if he ever saw him in person again.

In an e-mail dated Mar. 19, Cornette wrote to Taylor, among other things: “I will say it because I am trying to quell the burning in my heart–I hate Vince Russo. I despise Vince Russo. I want Vince Russo to die. If I could figure out a way to murder him without going to prison, I would consider it the greatest accomplishment of my life.

“I hate him for the money he’s cost me. I hate him for what he’s done to the business. I hate him for keeping TNA from being competitive to WWE. I hate him for the careers, even the lives he’s ruined with his shitty booking and the irreparable damage he’s done to every promotion he’s been involved with. I regularly wake up from dreams in which I am in the act of murdering him. I literally burn whenever I think of him. I have sworn to myself that I will willingly go to jail if I ever see him in person again, and he had better pray to his fictitious invisible man in the sky that that day never comes. I intend to make it my life’s work and mission to **** with him and anything he ever has anything to do with in the wrestling business.”

He added that he hopes TNA goes under “because of the stupidity Dixie (Carter) has exhibited in employing Russo and now the WCW murderers.” He indicated he’s mad at Jeff Jarrett for talking him into working with Russo, as well as Carter, for employing Russo and lying to him about why he was fired.

Cornette’s e-mail prompted a legal response from the law firm of Davis, Shapiro, Lewit & Hayes, LLP, a firm representing TNA Entertainment.

Their letter states that Cornette’s comments towards Russo constitute “terroristic threats” and that he “has understandably experienced extreme fear for himself and his family” as a result of the comments made by him. They added that Cornette’s “terroristic threats” have been reported to “applicable Federal and State law enforcement agencies.” The letter also states, “any further threats to contact Vince Russo or any other TNA personnel (directly or indirectly) shall be viewed as acts in furtherance of such threats and shall be pursued and prosecuted accordingly.”

Cornette has posted both the e-mail as well as the legal letter on JimCornette.com.

– Reality television star “Dog The Bounty Hunter” was in the crowd at Tuesday’s iMPACT tapings in Orlando. Based on messages TNA star Jeff Hardy wrote on Twitter, it doesn’t sound like his meeting with Dog went too well:

“Dog tha Bounty Hunter is a AssHole!!!he&his posse just treated me & Shannon like shit!I thought him&beth were cool…oh well”

– Vince Russo has been talking about how he is burnt out on booking in TNA.

– TNA fans waiting outside the Impact Zone this past Monday were warned prior to entering the building that the show would not be family-friendly.

– TNA has sold about 2,200 tickets for their LockDown PPV in St. Charles, MO.

– In addition to Daniels, The Nasty Boys and Consequences Creed, TNA has also released referee Jamie Tucker recently.

(Partial sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, f4wonline.com)

In his new book Rope Opera: How WCW Killed Vince Russo, TNA writer vince Russo claims that he personally reached out to Paul Heyman and tried getting him to join TNA. Russo wrote, “Oh, and one last thing, for the record: I called Paul E personally to ask him to join TNA. He declined.”

There’s no time line given as to when Heyman was allegedly offered a job with TNA, but the book was published on January 22nd, 2010.

It’s also worth noting that a great deal has transpired in TNA since Vince Russo would have reached out to Paul Heyman. Just last week, Taz and Tommy Dreamer noted on Twitter that they had dinner with Paul Heyman and Brother Ray of Team 3D in New York.

With the strong presence of ECW originals in TNA and the shaky power structure at the top of TNA, one has to wonder if guys like Taz, Brother Ray and RVD will make a stronger push to get Heyman into TNA.

— Bubba the Love Sponge is said to be the least popular person in the TNA locker room. Those who look past his shock jock personality say he gives off a vibe that he’s above everyone else due to his friendship with Hulk Hogan.

— Alex Shelley, who is suffering from a few herniated and bulging discs, is expected to continue working through said injuries. There was some initial concern that the Motor City Machinegun member would be out for an extended period of time.

— One former Russo defender laughed over some of the “absurd” things the TNA creative director has written in his online blogs, quipping, “He’s really showing how smart he isn’t.”

(credit to the Pro Wrestling Torch for the information used in this report)

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his JRsBarBQ.com blog, here are some highlights:

Vince Russo Complaining about Wrestling Journalists: “I do think that creative types in today’s wrestling world are under tremendous pressure and scrutiny. I have great compassion for what they do particularly in today’s society. Fans of all broadcast genres are harder to please these days because of all the info flow available but people can only do their best and follow their instincts. I still think the keys to the process is listening to the objective critiques of the consumers and to follow rating trends. But it all will come back to one’s natural instincts on how they see the genre presented. I know what I personally like in a wrestling TV show but that certainly doesn’t mean that others might like the direction that I might take. Hell, I might not like it after I saw it air.

Ludwig Borga’s Death: “Been reading a little about the death of Tony Halme aka Ludvig Borga and, including his concealed SS tattoo on his calf I won’t speak at length about those that have passed away but Tony obviously had issues and was not a great guy to be around. Perhaps others have a different view of this man but I personally found him to be somewhat obnoxious and he could be a bully if allowed to be such. Guys like Halme don’t mix well in any locker room and need to be removed from the “team” sooner than later. Nonetheless I still feel badly about the last years of Tony’s life as things really unraveled for him seemingly due to alcohol and drug issues. When one competes with “demons” unfortunately the “demons” usually win unless one is personally and throughly committed to changing one’s behavior. Wrestlers with problems of this nature either need to have the problem solved, which takes everyone’s best efforts specifically the individual himself, or have the problem person needs to be eliminated from the equation. That might sound harsh but some folks would rather “catch a buzz” than do the right thing for themselves, their family and the company for which they work. “

— The TNA website has added profiles on Angelina Love, Brian Kendrick, Bubba the Love Sponge and Mr. Anderson to its Superstars section. Awesome Kong’s profile remains on the page at this time.

— Two TNA stars in Homicide and Madison Rayne were on hand for Jersey All Pro Wrestling’s 12th Year Anniversary Show last night in Rahway, New Jersey. Homicide beat former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Masato Tanaka while JAPW Women’s Champion Sara Del Ray pinned Madison Rayne.

— Today is TNA creative director and former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vince Russo’s birthday, who turns 49 years old.

— Beer Money, Inc. — James Storm and Robert Roode — have been expressing their frustration to people backstage after they received word that TNA creative director Vince Russo said he didn’t see them as top stars. Actually, Russo said that they were expendable, but the Pro Wrestling Torch notes that he may have been trying to send the outspoken Storm a message.

Storm was said to be very upset with Beer Money, Inc.’s limited role on the live Monday Night iMPACT! on Jan. 4. In one scene, they were shown shaking hands with Ric Flair upon his arrival to the Impact! Zone. Later that night, they were shown selling a beat down from an unidentified assailant.

It should be noted that there is no noticeable friction between the duo and Russo as observers say they get along fine backstage. (source: pwtorch.com)

— The Nasty Boys made their much anticipated return to the squared circle last night on iMPACT!, defeating Eric Young and Kevin Nash. Before last night, The Nasties had not tagged together on national television in over thirteen years — since the December 9, 1996 episode of WCW Monday Nitro.

— TNA’s house show on March 19th, 2010 will be held at the Civic Center in Pensacola, Florida. Tickets go on sale February 5th, 2010 at 10 a.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

TNA writer Vince Russo has posted a message on his Facebook page calling out “dirt sheet” writers for over analyzing his every move.

“I want to thank those dirt sheet writers for analyzing my every syllable … As far as watching our competition, before Russo and Ferrara came to WWF, VINCE McMAHON thought ECW was a protein supplement. Let me translate that for the analyzers–Vince McMahon NEVER WATCHED ECW, WCW, or any of his competition. I imagine he watches ECW now, only because he has no choice–he owns it.

Now, in order for you guys to have fodder for your afternoon columns, blogs and tweets, the Creative Team is going out to eat Gyros for lunch.

Analyze that for the next three days.”

TNA creative team member Vince Russo a new blog on his Facebook.com page discussing Monday’s iMPACT!, working with Hogan & Bischoff and more. Here’s what Russo said about the Monday Night War:

“We learned a lot, on Monday night as a company–a lot We hit some home runs, but also struck out once, or twice–but that’s OK. What really mattered is that we took risks. We gave you everything we had–and didn’t play it safe.

“That’s what Eric Bischoff and Russo/Ferrara both did back in the mid-to late 90’s. Nothing was safe–NOTHING. The programming, whether it was WWF, or WCW was DANGEROUS. Never one time, no matter how hot we got–did Eric or I EVER rest on our laurels–NEVER. I can’t tell you how long Vince has been resting on his . . . I honestly can’t.

“I sat in the production truck and I wanted our show, side-by-side to Vince Monday night. It was great to see Bret –I love the guy–always have. But as our show went on, and as I watched his, I just kept asking myself–‘where’s the effort?'”

“Does Vince think that little of TNA that he felt that he could just produce ‘another show’ on Monday night? I mean, you take away that first segment and that last segment, and you had a wrestling show that wasn’t even mediocre at best. Again–going back to the 90’s–that NEVER, would have happened if Eric, or I were in Vince’s shoes–NEVER. Resting on your laurels is the worst mistake that anyone can ever make–no matter what type of business you are in.”

Hulk Hogan was said to be very stressed backstage at iMPACT on Monday, and feels the company has organizational issues. TNA was still filming pre-tapes late in the day, and it was said to be a very chaotic atmosphere for Hulk compared to the treatment he was used to in WCW and WWE.

Hogan held a meeting with the TNA roster prior to the show, which was described as a basic pep talk meeting. Hulk told the wrestlers that he’s looking forward to getting to know them all. He told them his door is always open, and gave the impression that he and Bischoff are running the show, although Vince Russo is still handling his usual backstage duties.

Some backstage sources say Russo came across as withdrawn, and after the show was telling people he had no idea what the storyline direction will be going forward.

(Source: PWTorch Newsletter)

Monday Night iMPACT!

With just a few days until TNA’s big night going head-to-head against WWE RAW, both Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo are adding to the excitement by teasing that fans will be treated to a number of big surprises.

Vince Russo has launched a page on Facebook.com and wrote:

“Thanks for joining me here on my page. I look forward to interacting with you all. Gearing up for live show on Monday–been working around the clock. I hope you all tune in so we can give the other Vince a run for his money. There are many surprises on the show . . . MANY surprises!”

Meanwhile, Eric Bischoff posted the following on Twitter regarding Monday’s 3-hour live iMPACT:

“Wrestling fans love surprises…Monday Night Jan 4 shoulld be a fun night over at TNA”

For a full preview of Monday’s WWE RAW & TNA iMPACT! shows, check the link below:
** MONDAY NIGHT WAR *SPOILERS* Surprises, Debuts, Returns & More

– A few people within TNA have been floating a story around that Vince Russo has no idea where things are headed and has not talked to Hulk Hogan or Eric Bischoff. This story is false, as Russo has had recent meetings with Hogan, Bischoff and Dixie Carter. Russo himself had been telling people he hadn’t met with anyone from Team Hogan and Hogan himself also was saying the same thing. This is all a complete work.

– TNA knockout ODB won an eight woman tournament on New Year’s Eve to become the number one contender for the Knockouts Championship. She will challenge Tara for the title on the Monday’s 3-hour live Impact.

– While Monday’s TNA iMPACT will be a live show, they will still tape TV on Tuesday night from Orlando. Those tapings will air on Thursday, January 14th.

– After his bio was removed from the TNA website earlier this week, we can confirm that Cody Deaner is in fact gone from the company. He is accepting bookings at cody_deaner@hotmail.com.

– Ed “Brutus Beefcake” Leslie is working on an autobiography titled “Reborn on the Fourth of July.” Leslie survived a near-fatal parasailing accident on July 4th, 1990.

Former WWE & ECW champion Rob Van Dam appeared on the Between The Ropes radio show with Brian Fritz on Tuesday night and talked about his experience at Sunday’s TNA Bound For Glory event. Van Dam met Vince Russo and Dixie Carter for the first time at the show.

Regarding his meeting with Vince Russo, he said, “I think that was the first I’ve met him,” Van Dam said. “I’ve talked to him on the phone a few times. I stood there and talked with him for a few minutes the other day. I’ve only known him by reputation before, which was a little choppy.” Van Dam sounded a bit skeptical of Russo, but acknowledged that most of what he’s heard has been second and third hand information.

Van Dam also described his brief encounter with TNA president Dixie Carter. “It was real short,” Van Dam said. I introduced myself to her. She said, ‘Yeah, we’ve talked on the phone.’ And then it was it was real awkward like she wanted to talk, but there wasn’t anything to say.”

To listen to the full interview, visit BetweenTheRopes.com.