TNA’s house show tonight in Connecticut was cancelled after building inspectors showed up. TNA intially had to move the show from another venue because inspectors showed up and said the building didn’t meet the requirements to hold the show. These were two different inspectors from two different towns, but both found something that would shut TNA down. Among the violations the inspectors cited tonight was a crack in one of the Exit signs. It’s not clear who made the phone calls to building inspectors, but one of the police officers told one of the TNA officials on site, “You know you have a competitor up here who isn’t making your life easy”. Tonight’s show was scheduled to be the first show run by TNA in Connecticut, home base of World Wrestling Entertainment.
Now WWE was quick to issue a statement absolving themselves of guilt. Gary Davis, WWE’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, sent an email to 1wrestling.com tonight regarding the cancellation of tonight’s TNA show in Connecticut. “Please make clear to your readers that there is no truth to the assertion that WWE had anything to do with the cancellation of the TNA event in Bloomfield. I don’t know why the event was cancelled, but, whatever the reason, it had nothing to do with us.”
Continue reading TNA Show In Connecticut Shut Down By Competitor
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.
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
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?
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.
TNA’s Dixie Carter posted the following message, teasing a major announcement at this Sunday’s No Surrender PPV on the TNA website:
“In the course of history, there are defining moments that change the fabric of a company forever. These are moments that are spoken about for years, not days, and serve as benchmarks in the annals of a company’s growth. And on occasion, those moments transcend the individual company and re-write the history of an industry. This Sunday at the NO SURRENDER PPV, an announcement will be made that will do just that. You will not want to miss the NO SURRENDER PPV.”
Terry Taylor has been named Director of Talent Relations for TNA Wrestling, it was announced today.
Taylor has been living in Atlanta for the past 14 years. He previously worked for WCW and WWE/WWF, and was a wrestler for 17 years before officially retiring earlier this year.
“I believe in TNA,” Taylor said. “This company is doing big things and I am excited to be part of the team and contributing to the growth, as well as the future of the business as a whole.”
As Director of Talent Relations, Taylor is responsible for all matters related to TNA’s on-air talent, including contract negotiations, management and expanding the company’s roster. He will be working out of the Nashville office.
“We are excited to have Terry in this important job,” said Dixie Carter, president of TNA Wrestling. “We pride ourselves on our roster and want the very best for them. Terry is the perfect fit for relating to and aiding our talent.”
Former WWF and ECW star Brian Lee (aka Chainz) was backstage visiting at last night’s Impact taping.
Rhino banged up several ribs last night towards the end of his match with Abyss but was OK afterwards.
Although she will no longer be appearing at ringside due to her pregnancy, expect Jackie Gayda to remain working with TNA in some capacity as long as she can.
Shane Douglas will soon be managing the reunited Naturals, a new on-camera role for Douglas, who will continue to work behind the scenes as an agent.
TNA X-Division champion Samoa Joe, who had been wrestling with a nagging knee for the last several weeks, appeared to have injured it again tonight at the TNA Impact taping while wrestling David Young during an Xplosion bout when it locked up while delivering a kick.
Continue reading TNA Notes 05.16.06
Several former WCW stars have shown up at the TNA Impact taping tonight. It will be interesting to see how these stars fit into current storylines. If you want to know who may be appearing this Thursday on TNA Impact, read on.
Continue reading Spoilers From The TNA Impact Tapings
Former WWE Diva Christy Hemme has signed a TNA deal and is working full time for the company.
Low Ki has also signed a TNA deal. Low Ki’s name was changed to Senshi so TNA would have ownership and rights to the name. Low Ki wasn’t going to sign over the name he’s built over his career.
TNA started talking with Low Ki a few weeks ago after Jushin Liger pulled out of Lockdown. If they couldn’t secure Low Ki, TNA was considering trying to sign Lance Storm to face Christopher Daniels at Lockdown.