TNA: Taz replaces Don West

It's official - Taz is on the TNA commentary table


FROM SMACKDOWN TO IMPACT

The following was issued on TNAWrestling.com:

TAZ JOINS THE TNA ANNOUNCE TEAM THIS THURSDAY ON "iMPACT!"

TNA Wrestling fans - tune into "iMPACT!" this Thursday night to see the changes in the announce team as Taz assumes color commentating duties with Mike Tenay! Don West has been promoted within the TNA organization to oversee merchandise development and sales initiatives. TNA will release more specific details on Don West’s new role in TNA soon.

TNA: Kurt Angle speaks out on jail

Kurt Angle himself has spoken out on his recent "induction" into a local jail


THE THREE LIES

The following is from ThePittsburghChannel.com:

Olympic gold medalist and professional wrestling champion Kurt Angle says his live-in girlfriend got him arrested over the weekend on an alleged violation of a protection-from-abuse order after the two had broken up.

“I’m just going to let the judicial system take its course and I’ll be vindicated,” Angle told B-94’s “Buckhead and Bubba in the Morning” radio show on Wednesday. “I spent nine hours in the (Allegheny) county jail. I mean, it was degrading.”

Angle told B-94 that the alleged victim — who he said he wasn’t allowed to name, but who WTAE identified as Trenesha Biggers — asked to take his car and go to the store early Saturday morning. Soon after that, he says Moon police were at his door.

“The cops told me I had to leave. I didn’t even know why. I got out of there. If they tell me I’ve got to get out of my house, I’m leaving, I’m gone, and this girl ended up following me,” Angle said.

In the criminal complaint, Biggers — a pro wrestler who performs under the name “Rhaka Khan” — told police that she went to a Starbucks Coffee in Robinson Town Centre so she could use the Internet, and then she saw Angle circle the parking lot three times and stare at her while she was outside, so she called 911 and said Angle was stalking her. But Angle told the radio show that the woman had actually left his gated community after he did that morning.

“We got surveillance tape that shows she followed me out, and then she had me restrict the PFA by following me, so basically in a nutshell, that’s pretty much what happened,” Angle said.

Robinson Township police eventually pulled Angle over and found a capped syringe in his car and two vials of human growth hormone, for which Angle said he has a prescription related to a neck injury. He was charged with harassment, possessing the drugs and driving on a suspended license.

“The whole thing was just crazy,” Angle said. “I told the girl it wasn’t going to work out. She asked me for my car to go to the store, went to police, got a PFA. The police came to my door, kicked me out, put her in, and it’s been like that ever since, and I spent nine hours in the county jail.”

FINAL THOUGHT

Here's hoping Angle can get back on his A-Game. Here's also hoping that we have less "You got arrested" chants from the TNA crowd

TNA Victory Road 2009 Results

TNA Victory Road 2009 Results

TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Angelina Love defeated Tara to become the new TNA Knockouts Champion


SINGLE MATCH
Matt Morgan defeated Daniels


SINGLE MATCH
Abyss defeated Dr. Stevie


IWGP Tag Team Title Match
Team 3D defeated The British Invasion


SINGLE MATCH
Jenna Morasca defeated Sharmell


TNA Legends Championship Match
Kevin Nash defeated AJ Styles to become the new TNA Legends Champion


TNA Tag Team Championship Match
Booker T and Scott Steiner defeated Beer Money to become the new TNA Tag Team Champions


Single Match
Samoa Joe (w/ Tazz) defeated Sting


TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Kurt Angle defeated Mick Foley

Hulk Hogan TNA?

In an interview with The Southtown Star, Hulk Hogan talked about various topics including the WWE vs. TNA war:

HULKAMANIA ON TNA?

Here are a few extracts from the interview:

"I watch both products. (TNA's) like the little engine that could. Everybody thought they wouldn't be around for long, and they've been chugging along for seven years. They gain momentum every week. They seem to be real fresh. When a lot of guys go over to that side of the fence, they seem to get a spring in their step," Hogan said. He added that he also watched the WWE product saying, " Vince is the constant. He's the standard of excellence. I just love watching his show because you never know what he is going to do. Plus, the production -- you can't even touch his production. It's so dialed-in. It's amazing just to see how they put the pieces together."

"If you look at history, everyone says, 'History repeats itself.' With all of the choices in the universe of entertainment, I look at the big package and look at the big picture from 40,000 feet. I see history repeating itself. I see TNA getting strong. I see Vince McMahon being impeccable except for a few little holes in the boat."

"TNA is lacking that one momentum-shifting move, that one big name that would even the playing field, the brand (that is) just as powerful as the WWE brand. (TNA's) lacking the big piece of the puzzle. It wouldn't matter who did what in the past. It will be a totally even playing field. You never know."

FINAL THOUGHT

I think this is another publicity stunt from Hogan, trying to weasel his way back into the wrestling world.

TNA Lockdown 2009 Poster Revealed

Well, two posters in one day - coincidence?

POSTER PROPAGANDA

I think not.

WWE and TNA have always had a back and forth relationship - basically because Ex-WWE Superstars are shipping on over to the TNA boat - then retreating back to the WWE.


TNA LOCKDOWN PROMO

The InDemand PPV website lists the following for the 4/19 TNA Lockdown PPV:

"Two decades in the making…Two of wrestling’s biggest legends…One historic showdown inside the infamous six sides of steel cage.

Hardcore legend Mick Foley…“The Icon” Sting…The battle of a lifetime!

TNA Wrestling presents Lockdown, where every match takes place inside the barbaric six sides of steel cage. Live! Sunday April 19th on Pay-per-View"

FINAL THOUGHT

Interesting to see Foley V Sting - I'm guessing Sting may have to carry Foley through the match.

Andromeda Update

The TNA website is teasing a new star named "Andromeda" is coming into the company.

It has now been revealed that Andromeda is Mexican talent Cassandro coming in under a new ring name.

Cassandro worked a dark match at the TNA tapings a few weeks back and is expected to appear at this week's TNA tapings.

Foley discusses TNA

Mick Foley was interviewed by Canada's Slam! Wrestling discussing his role in TNA, the Frontline vs. Main Event Mafia feud and more.

FOLEY TALKS TNA

When discussing his place in TNA, Foley commented,

"(My TV role) is multi-facted. It kind of becomes what we decide it is. At times, I'll be the authority figure; at times I'll be giving the 'State of TNA Addresses.' Maybe my big role will be being coerced back into the ring from time to time. If I can get into good enough shape to give people some semblance of the matches that I had before, I think I can be really valuable to the company in that way as well."

He teased he might return to the ring when it's time and well, we already know where that time will be.

To read the entire article, click here


FINAL THOUGHT

Foley always does a no ego, down-to-earth interview. I like them.

TNA Wrestler Shark Boy House Fire

It comes as sad news, as TNA Superstar "Shark Boy" recently lost his home in a fire.

SHARK BOY ADDRESS FANS

TNA star Shark Boy learned while he was on the road for TNA that his home in Ohio had burned down. Our deepest condolences to him and his family during this trying time.

Shark Boy actually issued the following statement in regard to the fire and merchandise that had been ordered from his official website:

"TNA wrestler Shark Boy lost all of his possessions in a fire at his Ohio home last week. The fire occurred while he was on the road working at the TNA tapings in Orlando and among the items lost were his entire supply of Shark Boy merchandise. As a result, outstanding merchandise orders will be refunded and no new orders can be accepted at this time.

Shark Boy expects to honor existing bookings. If you need to contact Shark Boy for booking questions, please do so by telephone or at the temporary email address admin@buckeyeprowrestling.com."

FINAL THOUGHT

I hate hearing news like this. All the best to Shark Boy and his family during this tough time.

TNA Impacts iTunes

It's official, TNA Wrestling has jumped aboard the iTunes bandwagon.


TOTAL NON-STOP TUNES

TNA issued the following press release today:

"Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling Brings its Multimedia Library to Apple's iTunes StoreFans Can Now Watch "TNA iMPACT!" Episodes, Pay-Per-View Events, Home Video Releases, Podcasts, and Online Exclusives Through Digital Download at iTunes

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling announced today that its extensive library of the world's best professional wrestling action is now available via Apple's iTunes store.

Fans can download episodes of TNA's weekly Spike TV show "TNA iMPACT!," as well as select TNA home video titles featuring TNA's biggest superstars, classic matches and unforgettable pay-per-view events. "TNA iMPACT!" can be purchased as a single show for each week or as a year-long "season pass."

TNA's music releases, "3rd Degree Burns" and "Meltdown," featuring the entrance music of TNA superstars, are also available for purchase.

"We're thrilled to be launching this wide range of TNA content on iTunes," said TNA Entertainment Chief Marketing Officer Steve Allison. "We are very committed to digital distribution. Our long term goal is to have TNA fans able to access our catalog of products on every possible media device available today. With iTunes, our fans can now get TNA content on Apple branded devices and PCs, allowing people to view our television programming and home video releases whenever they want, completely unshackled from their living rooms."

In addition, original TNA programming will also be available as free video podcasts. "TNA Spin Cycle" is available free on iTunes now. In the near future TNA will also make exclusive "Web Matches," and "TNA iMPACT!" post show footage available as free video podcasts.

For more information enter "TNA" into the iTunes Store search or visit http://www.tnawrestling.com."

FINAL THOUGHT

Good to see that TNA has branched out to iTunes

Took them awhile, though.

Kevin Nash Update

TNA released the latest update on Kevin Nash:

"Kevin Nash is now back home with his family in Florida after leaving the hospital last Thursday. The TNA superstar is tentatively scheduled to be at the TNA "iMPACT!" tapings in Orlando this coming Monday, January 26/27. However, this could change depending on his condition. TNAwrestling.com will update fans on Nash later this week."


FINAL THOUGHT

Glad to see Nash is already out of hospital, and on the way to a speedy recovery.

Juventud Guerrera back to AAA?

The AAA (Asistencia Asesoría y Administración) is seriously considering rehiring Juventud Guerrera.


BACKGROUND

After the fall of WCW, Guerrera wrestled for various wrestling companies, including: Xtreme Pro Wrestling, CMLL, World Wrestling All-Stars, AAA, and Frontier Wrestling Alliance.

He was frequently booked in tag team matches with Rey Mysterio in CMLL before Mysterio's signing with WWE. He soon joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

In 2005, WWE hired Guerrera. Guerrera went on to create the stable group known as "The Mexicools", with fellow wrestlers Super Crazy and Psicosis

On January 6th, 2006, Guerrera was fired. During his final match, Guerrera used a variety of aerial moves, despite WWE management telling all its "cruiserweight" wrestlers to tone down their use of aerial moves.

Guerrera also used the infamous "450 Splash", an aerial move that WWE had banned due to Guerrera using it in a match he had previously had with Paul London, in which Guerrera over-shot the move and landed on London's face, which fractured his facial bones.

Asistencia Asesoría y Administración

Juventud Guerrera would return to Mexico to compete with AAA. Guerrera first appeared on April 30th and formed a new stable known as "Mexican Powers" that will include Joe Lider, Crazy Boy, who is the first cousin of Super Crazy. Former members are Psicosis II, who replaced the original Psicosis, and Extreme Tiger (a relative of Rey Mysterio).

During a TNA vs. AAA Mexico show, Juventud was one of the Mexican wrestlers who aided LAX and attacked A.J. Styles. This footage was later shown on the October 5, 2006 edition of TNA iMPACT!.

Mexican Independent Scene

In August 2008, Juventud held a press conference to announce his departure from AAA. He is headed to the Mexican independent wrestling scene. In September he introduced The Sexicools stable with Intocable and Toscano. Unlike he was rumored to, he did not jump to AAA's rival CMLL.

FINAL THOUGHT

I've always loved Guerrera and his crazy Mexican antics.

TNA European House Show Results (Dublin, Ireland: 17 January 2009)

FIRST MATCH

Eric Young defeated Consequences Creed vs Bashir vs Doug Williams.

SECOND MATCH

ODB & Taylor Wilde defeated The Beautiful People

THIRD MATCH - TNA X Division Title match

Alex Shelley defeated Jay Lethal.

FOURTH MATCH

AJ Styles & Samoa Joe defeated Matt Morgan & Abyss

FIFTH MATCH - TNA Tag Team Title match

Beer Money Inc. defeated Team 3D

SIXTH MATCH
Jeff Jarrett defeated Kurt Angle (Mick Foley as Special Guest Enforcer).

AFTER THE MATCH

Foley and Jarrett thanked the fans and said it was 7 years to the day since TNA was formed and it was great to have their birthday party in Ireland.

TNA European House Show Results (Dublin, Ireland: 16 January 2009)

TNA European House Show Results (Dublin, Ireland: 16 January 2009)

TNA has officially kicked off their European Tour, premiering in Dublin, Ireland.



FIRST MATCH
Alex Shelley defeated Eric Young and Doug Williams to retain the X Division championship.


SECOND MATCH
The Beautiful People defeated ODB and Taylor Wilde


THIRD MATCH
Samoa Joe defeated Sheik Abdul Bashir


FOURTH MATCH - DUBLIN STREET FIGHT
Team 3D defeated Matt Morgan and Abyss, earnning a title match the next night.


FIRST PROMO
Jeff Jarrett and Mick Foley in the ring, talking about MEM and Nash.


FIFTH MATCH
Beer Money Inc. defeated Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed.


SIXTH MATCH
Kurt Angle defeated AJ Styles


AFTER THE MATCH
Angle kept attacking AJ after the match.

Foley comes to make the save, and gets drilled for it.

Jarrett then comes to save Foley, and ends up fighting with Angle.

Angle retreats up the ramp, and Foley makes a match for next night between Angle and Jarrett.

TNA President Dixie Carter in UK Newspaper

TNA President Dixie Carter has been hard at work, promoting TNA's upcoming European Tour.


TNA UK

TNA President Dixie Carter was interviewed by The Daily Star in Great Britain as part of the promotional push for the company's European tour, which kicks off today with the first of two shows in Dublin, Ireland before moving onto the UK:

Highlights of the interview:

On The UK Tour: “I think this is a special and important market for us,” she said. “It’s where the fans have embraced our product on an equal level with the competition – and much quicker. On a weekly basis to be above or on par in the ratings is a huge victory for us. It’s an incredible response, and to come back and be greeted by this number of fans is a wonderful accomplishment for us. We are very grateful.”

On TNA's Growth: "We had a great year – we quadrupled our revenues. To do that in a year when world economies are crashing, well, it’s a testament to our product and our fans. How do you grow it from here? Interaction... allowing the fans that sense of touching the product, touching the talent, being a part of the TNA experience. We have to get out to these countries that have put us on a par with others and show our gratitude."

On Christian Cage: "I’m very disappointed. I like him as a person as well as a talent. It’s interesting, he was the first big name to jump ship to us and he’s been the first to jump back. I wish him all the best."

To read the entire interview visit this link.

Low Ki WWE Update

Seems that Low Ki is well on his way to the WWE.


LOKI AT FCW

Former TNA X-Division and ROH champion Low Ki (pictured above) worked under the ring name "Kawal" tonight at the Florida Championship Wrestling TV taping, so that'll be the name he'll go under in World Wrestling Entertainment.

Tommy Dreamer Leaving

It appears that Tommy Dreamer will be leaving the WWE this June.


THE DREAM[ER] IS OVER

Tommy Dreamer stated on ECW that if he doesn't win the belt by June, he will quit.

This work is actually true.

Tommy Dreamer's ECW contract does expire in June, and it appears that WWE are turning this into an "exit story" for him.


ORIGINAL ECW

If and when Tommy Dreamer leaves the company, he will be the last of the "ECW Originals" to leave, as well as the last person that was part of the official relaunch in 2006.


FINAL THOUGHT

Sad to see that Tommy Dreamer isn't renewing his contract. Then again, Dreamer has done alot of the wrestling business -- mostly in the original ECW.

I just hope WWE write up a proper article on Tommy Dreamer, and not just the copy and paste "we wish him all the best in his future endeavours" send off.

TNA Against All Odds 2009 Preview

As I reported earlier, Jim Cornette announced at last night's TNA Impact taping in Orlando, Florida that the main event for next month's Against All Odds pay-per-view.


MAIN EVENT

The main event will feature Sting, defending the TNA Championship against Kurt Angle, Brother Ray, and Brother Devon in a Fatal Four-Way Match.


UPCOMING MATCHES

Matt Morgan also finally turned heel at last night's taping. Morgan turned on Abyss during a First Blood non-title tag team match against Beer Money, Inc., when he hit Abyss with a chair, busting him open, and giving Roode and Storm the win.

More than likely to see an Matt Morgan / Abyss match up on the card sooner or later.

TNA Impact Results 22nd January 2009

Xplosion (Dark Match):

Jay Lethal defeated Cute Kip w/The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky & Angelina Love)

TNA Impact:


FIRST MATCH
* Alex Shelley defeated Sonjay Dutt (w/SoCal Val), Chris Sabin, & Sheik Abdul Bashir to retain the TNA X Division Championship.

After the match, Sharmell came out and confronted referee Shane Sewell, ordering him to the back with her.


FIRST PROMO
TNA Champion Sting, Kurt Angle, and Scott Steiner come out for an in-ring promo. Kurt Angle says that tonight, the Main Event Mafia starts with Petey Williams and ends with AJ Styles.

Angle questions who made Team 3D bookers and says that they can shove their pay-per-view challengers. Sting says that no one speaks for him and whispers something to Angle who whispers something back.

Jim Cornette comes out and says it's going to be Sting defending the TNA Championship against Brother Ray, Brother Devon, and Kurt Angle and the first man to get the pinfall is the new champion at Against All Odds.


SECOND MATCH
ODB defeated Sojourner Bolt via disqualification after Awesome Kong hit the ring with Raisha Saeed and Rhaka Khan.


AFTER THE MATCH

Roxxi and Taylor Wilde came out with weapons to make the save.


THIRD MATCH
TNA Legends Champion Booker T (w/Sharmell) & Scott Steiner defeated Petey Williams & Eric Young in a tag team elimination match.


AFTER THE MATCH

After the match, while raising the hands of Booker and Steiner, referee Shane Sewell shook his head in disgust. Booker got in his face and Sewell retaliated with chops. Steiner and Booker assaulted Sewell until Earl Hebner, of all people, came out to make the save.


SECOND PROMO
An in-ring segment with Matt Morgan and Abyss takes place, whilst being interviewed by Lauren. They make-up after last week's blowup.


FOURTH MATCH
TNA Tag Team Champions Beer Money, Inc. (w/Jacqueline) defeated Abyss & Matt Morgan in a non-title First Blood match.

During the match, Morgan turned on Abyss, hitting him with a steel chair, busting him open.


AFTER THE MATCH
Morgan continues to assault Abyss before flipping off the crowd and leaving.


FIFTH MATCH
Kurt Angle defeated AJ Styles in a Tables Match


AFTER THE MATCH
Angle violently take out Styles.

Kevin Nash addresses his injury

Kevin Nash may be out with injury, but he can still type.


BIG SEXY ADDRESS

TNA Wrestling posted the following blog from Kevin Nash on their official website. Nash underwent emergency surgery yesterday in Charlotte, North Carolina on his elbow:

"Greetings from Charlotte, still.

I know I’ve only been in the airport, hotel and hospital since I’ve been here after arriving late Saturday afternoon, but I’ve run into some very nice people.

The hospital staff is very nice, and one young brunette nurse is really a looker. Kinda tall Megan Fox-looking.

I have some sort of infection in my right elbow; the culture has not come back yet. The doctors have been treating it as MRSA. For those of you who do not know, MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant infection. A mutated superbug. Lucky me.

Oh, by the way, did I tell you that I was operated on Monday afternoon. That’s surgery No. 27. After being cut on that many times, sometimes you forget, even if it was just Monday when I was operated on. (Editor’s note: Nash’s arm was cut open to drain blood due to massive swelling).

Don’t know when this will heal, depends on how my body reacts to the antibiotics.

I have a gaping, open wound in my elbow, with the equivalent of a small ShopVac hooked up to it. I’m sure I’m paying 2-bills to rent that bad boy. When I go home, I’ll hook up the Black & Decker, and save the insurance company some money.

Hated missing the Pay-Per-View because I felt like the Mafia was just starting to get some momentum. But my left arm is OK, so I should be able to whack somebody at the next iMPACT events in Orlando.

Heard Kurt and Jeff had a great match; I look forward to watching that.

I would like to continue on with this blog, but American Idol is upcoming. Can’t miss.

I’ll blog more this week.

Nash …“The MRSA Man”

Oh MRSA, MRSA me … things ain’t like they used to be.

Kevin Nash"

FINAL THOUGHTS

Glad to see Kevin Nash is still able to type.

Here's hoping he gets a speedy recovery

Scott Steiner Update

Things aren't looking so good for Veteran wrestler, Scott Steiner


STEINER RECLINER

Scott Steiner is said to be in pretty rough shape, but then again he has been that way since the final year of WCW.

There was a point in time where he would warm up for a full hour before going out for a match, and another time when after a 10 minute match he couldn't pick up a napkin he dropped in a hotel, but when he finally did manage to get down on one knee to pick it up he grabbed his back and had to lie down on a couch to relieve the pain. Steiner’s days in the ring may be numbed, as he had made it clear to friends he has no interest in appearing on camera if he looks feeble or injured. He was once working through back pain so bad that he couldn’t do any flat-back bumps and had to fall to his side or to his knees, and explain later to the wrestlers that he wasn’t trying to no-sell their moves but he simply couldn’t do the back bumps.

Steiner is said to be pretty hard on himself, and most of the locker room feels bad for him at times despite his reputation as an absolute lunatic who has threatened people’s lives over booking decisions. In WCW, Jeff Jarrett was always known as the guy who could keep Scott under control and calm him down.

Says one fellow wrestler regarding Scott‘s health:

"He can't bend over and tie his shoe because of his lower back pain. His stretching routine before matches is barbaric just so he has the mobility to get through a match because he's wound so tight. His back is so bad watching him go through a 12 step process to sit in a car seat is excruciating. It's so not a secret that his back causes him tremendous pain and is an overwhelming concern in his life every day"

Friends continue to encourage Steiner to back off on his muscle-mass, but Steiner continues to be stubborn and prioritise being as big as possible over all else. He never misses a work out and fans said they saw him at a gym in Hawaii while he was there on his honeymoon. Steiner is still financially set from his WCW days and real estate ventures with his brother, but there is tremendous pressure for him to retire due to his physical condition.


FINAL THOUGHT

With so many TNA wrestlers on the shelf, the loss of Steiner would be a major blow to the company.