The Teddy Long announcement that was hyped on the WWE website earlier today turned out to be a storyline deal where MVP has officially signed with the Smackdown brand. In other SmackDown news, WWE has announced that Kid Kash, who was working as one half of the Pitbulls tag team, has been released from the company.
Wrestlers contracted to the Wrestling Society X have been pulling out of indy dates scheduled for 11/10-11/12, so it appears that will be the initial Los Angeles taping dates for the project. Among those signed for the series are Teddy Hart, Sean Waltman, Jack Evans, Matt Sydal, and Vampiro.
It was announced tonight at the TNA iMPACT! tapings in Orlando that Kurt Angle will be the special “ringside enforcer” for the Sting vs Jeff Jarrett match at Bound For Glory. Kurt Angle is scheduled to appear at the October 9 iMPACT! tapings at Universal Studios in Orlando.From discussions TNA officials have had with Angle, there’s more to the story of his WWE release than has been reported. To say there are bitter feelings about the way the meeting with WWE went down is not an exaggeration.
The tapings tonight were re-written at the last minute when Insane Clown Posse no-showed. ICP had appeared on the Howard Stern show this morning and announced that they were going to leave the studio to catch a flight to Orlando to work the TNA tapings, but sent word to TNA late this afternoon that they were not coming.
Eric Bischoff is backstage at Raw at the Ford Arena. WWE issued an mobile text alert to its subscribers noting that he was in the venue. Bischoff is expected to take part in an on camera role tonight.
Bischoff could just be there to promote his new book, “Controversy Creates Cash” is scheduled to be released next month. Or he could be there to resume his role as Raw GM or perhaps to manage a superstar?
TNA’s website has posted a message from President Dixie Carter regarding Kurt Angle signing with the company along with a quote from Angle.
“First, let me say to our talent and our staff, congratulations on our move to primetime. Each of you have worked so hard for this and deserve all the great things that will come with the move. To our fans, none of us would be here without you. Your belief in our product has made all of this possible, and from all of us, thank you. This is just the beginning.
I hope the hype of our announcements last night lived up to or exceeded your expectations. In this industry, it is very hard to keep anything quiet. We are thrilled to have Kurt Angle join our team. Just like with all of our wrestlers, Kurt’s family and health will always come first. I’m sure you will be hearing from him in the coming weeks.
Continue reading Dixie Carter Comments On Angle Signing
In Oklahoma City, D-Generation X will face three teams of Executive Assistant Jonathan Coachman’s choice in a Gauntlet Match. DX must face all three teams in a row, and with all the Superstars at the Executive Assistant’s disposal, who will Coachman choose to battle Triple H and Shawn Michaels?
Trish Stratus won the Women’s Championship at Unforgiven, but her retirement forced the championship to be vacated. Every Diva wants to become champion; eight of them will have their chance, as RAW will see the beginning of an 8-Diva tournament to determine a new Women’s Champion. Who will be the one to succeed Trish?
Also in Oklahoma City, Johnny Nitro will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Kane. Weeks ago, Kane’s first chance at Nitro’s gold was interrupted by Umaga, who came to the ring to attack the Big Red Monster. An opportunistic Nitro was able to retain his gold in a Six-Pack Challenge last week; can he do it two weeks in a row, or will Oklahoma City see a Big Red Champion crowned?
To find out the answers to these questions and more, tune into RAW Monday night at 9/8 CT on the USA Network.
At the close of No Surrender, Jim Cornette announced that TNA Impact was moving into primetime at 9 PM on Thursday, November 9. Cornette went on to say that the time change isn’t the big announcement. A Kurt Angle video aired concluding with a closeup of Angle saying “It’s real. It’s damn real!”
So TNA had three big events surrounding No Surrender: Vince Russo rejoins the Creative Committee, Impact moving into a prime time slot and Kurt Angle. Do any of these change the face of TNA or wrestling, no. For all the hype, I expected more. Kurt Angle is mentally and physically beat up and you can’t convince me that a few weeks of rest has him ready to go at 100%. I expected something along of the lines of TNA going to two hours, possibly up against one of WWE’s shows or maybe the signing of Brock Lesner or Bill Goldberg.
And I am a little suprised that Angle jumped ship like this. Angle seemed very loyal to the WWE and I was shocked at his release. And I would wager that Vince released Angle to rehab himself, not sign with a rival promotion. Angle blew more smoke about the situation by leaking his interest in MMA. This whole Angle situation seems a little shady and takes away credibility from both Angle and TNA. I’m not one to agree with the likes of Jim Ross, but he is right on the money criticizing TNA for trying to copy the WWE. I can only question what logic the people running TNA are using for these recent moves. Vince Russo will not take TNA to the next level and neither will Kurt Angle. These kind of decisions are the reason why TNA will always be what it always is and certainly not a legitimate competitor to the WWE. What are your thoughts about TNA’s recent moves?
It has been reported that former WWE Champion and SmackDown color commentator, JBL/John Bradshaw Layfield has given his notice to WWE. Layfield is scheduled to make his final WWE appearance on the October 6 episode of SmackDown according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Layfield has a new job as an investment banker on Wall Street and reportedly does not want to continue traveling to SmackDown television tapings.
WWE has signed former WWE, WCW and ECW wrestler, Too Cold Scorpio to a three year contract. Scorpio, a former ECW World Television Champion and ECW Tag Team champion had a recent WWE tryout against new ECW Extremist, Rene Dupree.
Since its inception in 2000, Scorpio had been wrestling for Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan. Two days before ECW One Night Stand 2005, Scorpio looked great and defeated Kid Kash at Shane Douglas’ and Jeremy Borash’s Hardcore Homecoming at the former ECW Arena. With his new WWE deal, Scorpio is in the process of relocating from Germany back to the United States.
Vince Russo has been added to the TNA creative committee and will join Jeff Jarrett and Dutch Mantel as the primary members of the committee. The previous committee included Jeff Jarrett, Scott D’Amore, Mike Tenay, Dutch Mantel, and Jeremy Borash.
Rumors have been circulating that this is the big announcement TNA has planned for No Surrender. I hope Russo isn’t their announcement because it is neither a surprise nor will it change the face of wrestling. In fact, Russo’s return could cause a huge morale problem in TNA.