OFFICIAL TNA Impact/Wrestling Thread

[strikezone89]

^but why is holding the belt?
did he steal it?

[NDX]

Probably just posing with it for friends/fans.

[3dman27]

any spoilers fot this and next weeks show?

[enterthemadness]

any spoilers fot this and next weeks show?

Not yet, at least I think. Can't even find the ratings for the last two eppys, too.

[nite-owl]

any spoilers fot this and next weeks show?

Here you go.

http://www.wrestlezone.com/article.php?articleid=186644050

[Hunter Rider]

God that is some horrendous booking,Angle is so far gone:csad:

[Prognosticator]

There was a WWE vs TNA fight. It was at King Booker's tiny Texas promotion. Not too long ago, too.

Hmm, that's nice of them to let talent participate. I guess??

[nite-owl]

I might watch for the Triple XXX reunion thats it. I wish they would stop calling Angle the IWGP champion.

[3dman27]

thanks for the spoilers

[Sarge 2.0]

God that is some horrendous booking,Angle is so far gone:csad:I still can't get over some of the other stuff I read from a while ago...Abyss talking sounds priceless.

It's like TNA is trying to be worthless.

[Max J Power]

I might watch for the Triple XXX reunion thats it. I wish they would stop calling Angle the IWGP champion.
There's a Motor City Machine Guns match too.

I wonder if they're going to explain why Triple X can be back together since they were never supposed to team again after December 2004. I'm betting they'll just ignore it.

(official) In a “winner takes all” match, TNA World/IWGP Heavyweight champion vs. World X Division/World Tag Team champion Samoa Joe

That stipulation is awful.

WWE and TNA have really been letting me down lately.

[3dman27]

Here you go.

http://www.wrestlezone.com/article.php?articleid=186644050

i saw my tape of this yesterday afternoon would i know roxxy laveaux as molly holly or am i in error?:ninja:

[enterthemadness]

I can't find ratings for the past two Impact shows before this weeks. Why is it ratings for TNA are so hard to come by? :huh:

[TheVileOne]

The rating for the last episode of Impact (7/12) was 1.0. For the week before (7/5) it was 1.1.

So since 6/28, the ratings have gone down steadly from 1.2 to 1.0.

[enterthemadness]

The rating for the last episode of Impact (7/12) was 1.0. For the week before (7/5) it was 1.1.

So since 6/28, the ratings have gone down steadly from 1.2 to 1.0.

Where did you find these numbers, if I may ask?

TNA tv contract expires later this year (I think) for Spike. The Network trying to get them is Fox. Not FSN, but their Mytv network. I don't remember the details too well. Something about two shows a week.

[LastSunrise1981]

It's not like TNA is really trying to better their product though. It's a shame because they could've been a contender to the WWE if they concentrated on their product rather than taking pot shots.

Hiring Russo to book/write storylines was their biggest mistakes. Get rid of him and the company will be better off.

[3dman27]

right lastsunrise

[nite-owl]

TNA should let Raven be the booker.

[Max J Power]

Hiring Russo to book/write storylines was their biggest mistakes. Get rid of him and the company will be better off.
That's their biggest mistake. Didn't they see what happened to WCW?

Their other big problem is that they're not putting over people who haven't been in WCW or WWE. Here's a list of TNA's top champions since their debut in 2002.

Ken Shamrock
Ron Killings
Jeff Jarrett
AJ Styles
Raven
Rhino
Christian Cage
Sting
Abyss
Kurt Angle

3 out of 10 were in WWE or WCW first. Plus Jarrett has had six reigns. And Kurt Angle might get all the belts. I like most of these wrestlers, but the company really needs to build new talents.

[3dman27]

give SHARK BOY A BELT ,maybe the x-division and lets see him run[or swim in his case] with it

[NDX]

That's their biggest mistake. Didn't they see what happened to WCW?

Their other big problem is that they're not putting over people who haven't been in WCW or WWE. Here's a list of TNA's top champions since their debut in 2002.

Ken Shamrock
Ron Killings
Jeff Jarrett
AJ Styles
Raven
Rhino
Christian Cage
Sting
Abyss
Kurt Angle

3 out of 10 were in WWE or WCW first. Plus Jarrett has had six reigns. And Kurt Angle might get all the belts. I like most of these wrestlers, but the company really needs to build new talents.

Only 1 of those 10 mentioned have not spent time in WWFE/WCW/ECW. AJ Styles, spent time in WCW, if only appearing on 2 episodes. He was still contracted with them, and was released upon WWFE's purchase of WCW.

Abyss is the only one, from what I've read, that has never worked for WWE in any fashion (and I don't think he's been wrestling long enough to work in WCW/ECW before they collapsed).

[Hunter Rider]

- Jeff Jarrett is said to be very high on Chris "Wildcat" Harris, which explains the recent push he has been receiving. This comes to a surprise to a few people as the two have had their differences in the past.

- Sting vs. Kurt Angle II is being talked about and could happen before the end of the year. The last time we saw the match, billed as a Dream Match, it ended in a DQ on the 4/26 episode of iMPACT.

- Kurt Angle is being described by some within TNA as "the Triple H of TNA", talking about how he has complete control over his character, and is putting himself before everything else. One source says that these politics are what is keeping Rob Van Dam from joining TNA.

[Hunter Rider]

- Ryan sent the following: Kurt Angle was on 106.7 here in Washington last night. Angle said he is coming out with a book soon. He also said he watched the champions main event on RAW this week and said Vince and WWE copied TNA. It was a very good show and you can listen to it at wjfk.com.

Ahhh Angle shoots himself in the foot again,the TNA Champions ME was a copy of the match WWE invented in September 95:o

[3dman27]

- Jeff Jarrett is said to be very high on Chris "Wildcat" Harris, which explains the recent push he has been receiving. This comes to a surprise to a few people as the two have had their differences in the past.

- Sting vs. Kurt Angle II is being talked about and could happen before the end of the year. The last time we saw the match, billed as a Dream Match, it ended in a DQ on the 4/26 episode of iMPACT.

- Kurt Angle is being described by some within TNA as "the Triple H of TNA", talking about how he has complete control over his character, and is putting himself before everything else. One source says that these politics are what is keeping Rob Van Dam from joining TNA.
maybe mr angle should be reminded of his lack of seinority in TNA that should put a stop to angles nonsense:ninja:

[NDX]

Angle has complete control over all his character's angles and matches. You really think someone like that will give up that much ability just because he's only been there 10 months?

[Max J Power]

- Kurt Angle is being described by some within TNA as "the Triple H of TNA", talking about how he has complete control over his character, and is putting himself before everything else. One source says that these politics are what is keeping Rob Van Dam from joining TNA.
Just yesterday I was telling my brother that I thought Kurt Angle was the Triple H of TNA. I like them both as wrestlers, but their presence hurts other people's careers, and in Angle's case, might hurt the company as a whole.

[Hunter Rider]

As reported on Thursday night, TNA officially announced that their Bound For Glory PPV on October 14 would be taking place in Atlanta, Georgia. The event will be taking place at the Gwinnett Civic Center, which is a 13,000 seat venue.

TNA Knockout Leticia Cline recently made the finals for Maxim's Hometown Hotties contest. The WrestleZone.com website is reporting EXCLUSIVELY that she will also be posing for Playboy and will be on the front cover of the magazine. The issue, according to them, will be out in September.

TNA Wrestling issued text message alerts recently stating that a former World Champion would be making his TNA debut at the TNA TV tapings this Monday night in Orlando, Florida at Universal Studios. This could be the debut of former WSX champion Ricky Banderes who will be Jim Mitchell's new heel guy.

The company also announced through its mobile service that Rhino vs. James Storm in a Bar Room Brawl has been added to the card for the Hard Justice PPV on August 12.

[3dman27]

pacman jones has been placed under court order not to appear on the TNA PPVtomorrow nighti learned of this during espn friday night fights first their news crawler then the sportcenter update russo and the writers will have to rewrite that part of the show:ninja:

[TheVileOne]

Seriously, **** TNA. When was the last time they did something that wasn't boneheaded?

[Mr. Socko]

Watching TNA right now. LMAO Duds and Angle are ganging Joe. Bubba whipped Joe with the title belt lol

[3dman27]

Seriously, **** TNA. When was the last time they did something that wasn't boneheaded?

i think the restraining order on jones came after the original broadcast of last weeks impact thats why the jones promo may have been shown last night

[3dman27]

actually he WILL be at hard justice after all lawyers for the nfl andtna worked that out but he can't do anything without violating a no hazardous activities clause in his contract he'll only be shown in the audience

[Hunter Rider]

The Karen Angle ~SWERVE~ Was clear a mile off and i only saw one segment of Impact in the build up, Joe must have contracted gullibility from Sting:whatever::csad:

[nite-owl]

When Joe's contract is up I hope he comes back home to ROH for awhile.

[Hunter Rider]

Alex Marvez of FOXsports.com reports that many TNA wrestlers were upset that Adam "Pacman" Jones was given his own private dressing room at the PPV last night. He actually had a trailer. He hung out with his posse for most of the night and didn't really interact with many of the guys.

The Saturday iMPACT! replay did a 0.6 rating.

TNA has just signed a deal with the band Bro-Kin to use their music on TNA programming. Bro-Kin is the former DX band WWE used.

Jerry Lynn, Christy Hemme, & Lance Hoyt were all called by Terry Taylor and told they were not needed at the PPV or tonight's iMPACT! tapings. They are trying to save any kind of money that they can these days.

[Twitch]

If I was one of the young guys I would just quit the company and try to make PWG and ROH into contenders. I could get into Japan easily if I worked hard and ****.

[Hunter Rider]

Major Spoilers From iMPACT! Taping

At tonight's TNA taping, the main event for the September 9th No Surrender PPV was announced. Kurt Angle will make three separate title defenses on the show. He will defend the TNA World Title against Abyss, he will defend the X-Division Title against Jay Lethal, and he will defend the Tag Team Championship against Ron Killings & Pacman Jones.

How is Pacman Jones going to wrestle? We shall see. And to be honest, he likely won't wrestle and we'll see another 'Pacman attacked' angle.:dry:

[enterthemadness]

Major Spoilers From iMPACT! Taping

At tonight's TNA taping, the main event for the September 9th No Surrender PPV was announced. Kurt Angle will make three separate title defenses on the show. He will defend the TNA World Title against Abyss, he will defend the X-Division Title against Jay Lethal, and he will defend the Tag Team Championship against Ron Killings & Pacman Jones.

How is Pacman Jones going to wrestle? We shall see. And to be honest, he likely won't wrestle and we'll see another 'Pacman attacked' angle.:dry:


...unless if Joe or someone else interferes...Kurt shall be 3 for 3 that night...:dry:..fire Russo, btw.

[Hunter Rider]

Full spoilers

TNA Impact for 8/16:

- Mike Tenay brings out Pacman Jones. Mike talked about how Pacman made an eventful debut at Hard Justice, and all the media attention he received. He then mentions the confrontation with Ron Killings, and then Pacman being attacked in the locker room. Tenay asked Pacman if he knows who attacked him in the locker room. Pacman gets on the mic and says he expected it to be Ron Killings, but wondered why Killings wouldn't do it face to face, instead of jumping him from behind. Ron Killings comes out and asks Pacman why he wants to be in TNA. Killings said if "he has a beef, he eats it". Killings said he did some research on Pacman's history and that they are "birds of a feather". They get into each other's face, then Ron Killings says that Pacman came from nothing, then turned himself into "somebody" and that he did the same thing. Killings said he came from nothing and won the NWA World Title. Killings says the media has a way of painting things, and said they can make history together. Killings says he wouldn't jump someone from behind, and that he wants Pacman to team with him. Killings said he would help Pacman find out who jumped him, and that together "Team Pacman" could become TNA Tag Team Champions. As they're leaving the ring and heading up the ramp, Eric Young comes out and asks Pacman for an autograph. Killings has Young turn around so Pacman can sign the back of his shirt, and Killings attacks Young from behind before leaving.

- Jim Cornette is in his office with Matt Morgan and Leticia. Triple X enters, and Christopher Daniels wants to know why he has to wrestle Jay Lethal for a shot at the X-Division Title, since Daniels already earned a title match. Cornette says that since Daniels was pinned by Lethal at Hard Justice, he will have to earn back his title shot "the old fashioned way" and beat Lethal to get the title match back. Daniels points out that Hard Justice was a tag team match, but Cornette still insists that he has to beat Lethal to get back his title shot. They leave the office, and Christian, Tomko and AJ Styles enter. Christian says that he's moving on to bigger and better things, and that he's not going to wrestle anymore First Blood matches with Abyss. Cornette says if he doesn't accept the match, he won't get any title shots in the future. Cornette also says that Abyss is willing to put his title shot at the next PPV on the line for the First Blood match, so Christian accepts.

- Jay Lethal defeated Christopher Daniels to earn the X-Division Title match at No Surrender. After the match, Daniels was furious that he lost, and had to be held back by Elix Skipper and Senshi.

- Kurt and Karen Angle enter for the "Angle Awards", with the ring set up with trophies. Angle gets on the mic and says it is a great honor to host the first "Angle Awards". He says it is a night to celebrate, and mocks the people who didn't realize they were going to screw Samoa Joe. Angle says he and Karen are the best husband and wife team in sports entertainment today. They show a video package of the Angles screwing over Samoa Joe. Angle then gave an award for "Best Supporting Actor" for Kevin Nash and Karen's fake boyfriend. Angle said they were the best team since Starsky & Hutch. Angle then gave Karen an award for being the "First Lady Of Total Nonstop Angle". Karen thanked the "simpletons" of the Impact Zone, and when the fans booed, Kurt covered her ears. Jim Cornette came out with Matt Morgan and wondered if this was pro wrestling or the Golden Globes. Cornette congratulates Angle on winning all three TNA titles, but he wants to know which one he is going to keep and which two he is going to vacate. Angle says he is keeping all three titles. Cornette says that at PPV events, all titles have to be defended, so at No Surrender, he will have to defend all of the titles. Cornette said that he will defend the X-Division Title against Jay Lethal, he will defend the World Title against the winner of Abyss vs. Christian and he will be defending the tag titles against Team Pacman. Angle freaks out and grabs Cornette, but Matt Morgan shoves Cornette away. Security comes in to keep Angle and Morgan apart.

- Jeremy Borash interviewed Christian Cage. Cage said nobody cares about Pacman. Cage says he is going to take care of Abyss on his own, and notes that he has never submitted during his time in TNA. Samoa Joe enters and says Christian isn't a real champion, and that he will see him at ringside. When Joe leaves, Christian calls out to AJ Styles and Tomko, saying he needs their help.

- Abyss defeated Christian Cage in a First Blood match to keep his World Title match at No Surrender. During the match Tomko came out and gave Christian a screwdriver to use, but the referee sent him to the back. Christian missed a one-man Conchairto on Abyss. AJ Styles came out and pulled a barbed wire bat from under the ring. Samoa Joe came out and chased AJ away, then took the bat away before Christian could use it. Joe hit Christian with a chair, then tossed it to Abyss, who hit Christian with it as well, and Christian was busted open. After the match, Kurt Angle came out and attacked Abyss, hitting him with the chair. Karen picked up the chair and was about to hit Abyss with it as well, but Jim Cornette appeared on the screen and announced that next week Kurt Angle would be wrestling in a handicap match against the Steiner Brothers, and if the Steiners win, they get five minutes with Karen Angle.

Xplosion Match:

- Homcide, with Hernandez, defeated Senshi, with Elix Skipper, with the Gringo Killer.

TNA Impact for 8/23:

- Gail Kim & Kazarian defeated Robert Roode & Traci Brooks in a mixed tag match when Gail pinned Traci. After the match, Roode and Traci argued, and Kazarian came back in and pushed Roode away from Traci. Roode and Kazarian fight, with Kazarian kicking Roode out of the ring with the bicycle kick. Kazarian got on the mic and said that there are a few things wrong with Roode. He says Roode is a prick, and he doesn't know how to treat a lady. Kazarian then kissed Traci and left the ring. Traci left the wring with Roode, who kept yelling at Traci as they left.

- Ron Killings defeated Eric Young. Killings got on the mic and told the crowd to welcome the "most notorious man in sports" and brings out Pacman Jones. Pacman came out and spraypainted "Pac" on Young's back.

- They announced that AJ Styles and Tomko tried to attack Samoa Joe in the back, and Joe chased Styles into the Impact Zone. Joe and Styles fight in the ring, then Tomko runs out, but before Tomko and Joe can battle, Christian comes out and hits Joe with a chair. Tomko gives Joe a chokeslam on the chair, followed by a one-man Conchairto by Christian.

Xplosion Match:

- Shark Boy & Petey Williams defeated Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin when Shark Boy pinned Shelley with the Dead Sea Drop and Williams hitting the Canadian Destroyer on Sabin at the same time.

TNA Impact for 8/23 continued:

- Kurt Angle defeated The Steiner Brothers. Rick Steiner hit a top rope bulldog on Angle, but Team 3D ran in as Karen Angle distracted the referee and gave Rick 3D so Angle could get the win. After the match, Kurt and Karen went to the back while Team 3D gave Scott 3D, then put him through a table with a powerbomb. Brother Ray got on the mic and announced that they had witnessed the end of the Steiners.

[TheVileOne]

Terrible, terrible, terrible.

The TNA boycott movement has officially started.

If you haven't already, I implore the fans who used to like what TNA brought to the table to STOP watching. Don't watch Impact. Don't watch the PPV's. Don't buy the PPV's or the DVD's.

And even post on the myspace comment box. This has to stop now.

Dixie Carter is a NAIVE, incompetent, clueless, and weak-willed woman.

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/517/tnafnsucksre9.jpg

[3dman27]

i'll probaly put my TNA watching on hiatus during football season as football takes precedence to me TNA shoud dump angle and russo quadruyple stat

[The Sage]

Terrible, terrible, terrible.

The TNA boycott movement has officially started.

If you haven't already, I implore the fans who used to like what TNA brought to the table to STOP watching. Don't watch Impact. Don't watch the PPV's. Don't buy the PPV's or the DVD's.

And even post on the myspace comment box. This has to stop now.

Dixie Carter is a NAIVE, incompetent, clueless, and weak-willed woman.

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/517/tnafnsucksre9.jpg

What myspace box?

I'll give TNA a maximum of five years before it goes bye bye. I can't see it lasting long while treading down the road it's on right now.

[enterthemadness]

What myspace box?

I'll give TNA a maximum of five years before it goes bye bye. I can't see it lasting long while treading down the road it's on right now.

The sad thing is the ratings are 1.0-1.2 every week now.

Two-HOur show *almost* set for this Oct on Spike btw.

[nite-owl]

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/erisi236/russoinsidehead.gif

LOL

[Prognosticator]

i just watched that ep of tna yesterday where Kurt Angle's walking around in his red bikini underwear the whole time...despite his massive ego stroke, it was pretty amusing.

[TheVileOne]

THE OFFICIAL IMPACT BOYCOTT PRESS RELEASE

August 14, 2007

Grass roots “IGNORE TNA IMPACT INITIATIVE” rapidly gaining steam and generating discussion and debate among frustrated wrestling fans


As you may or may not already be aware, there is a rapidly growing grass roots movement afoot among the internet wrestling fan community to boycott this Thursday's Impact program, airing on 8/16.

Dubbed the "Ignore Impact Initiative", the approach and desired outcome is a positive one. The pro-active “voice of the people” is designed to send a clear, strong message to TNA management regarding widespread dissatisfaction over the recent booking trends and sharp swing back towards intelligence insulting, cheesy gimmickry and outright illogical marketing tactics. This, following an earlier summer series of shows where compelling wrestling based episodes were aired and tested - and without question proven beyond a shadow of doubt to garner consistently higher ratings for the promotion while offering itself as a true alternative for eager viewers.

This viral word-of-mouth boycott has quickly generated an amazingly strong reaction among thousands of frustrated wrestling fans and is spreading as we speak to thousands more. Starting within the talkimpact.com community on the evening of 8/15, the movement has within literally less than a 24 hour period spiked significant net traffic and publicity for the cause. This morning found multiple sports and wrestling hotlines, fan blogs and forums around the world discussing the crusade for change within TNA Wrestling. There is great interest in spotlighting the story from multiple wrestling radio shows, such as Between The Ropes for one prime example, and Brian Alverez of Figure 4 Weekly devoted a full seven minutes to the Ignore Impact Initiative to open his latest audio update today.

Link: http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/4017/105/

We have received word that several people involved with the Nashville based promotion are on board “off the record” and strongly supportive of this initiative for positive change within TNA creative.

Likely, you and your staff must share many of the same frustrations as expressed in this unprecedented fan outpouring. While it is understandable if you feel that a wholehearted endorsement of this boycott would compromise your journalistic neutrality, it would be much appreciated if you join others in the wrestling press in covering it as a news item. Please allow your readership and fellow wrestling fans to be made aware of the positive initiative to boycott the 8/16 episode of TNA Impact, and then let them decide for themselves if it is right for them to join the ranks in protest.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and we hope you make mention of this to your many loyal readers.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/Zandrax/iiidaniels.jpg

We are kind of giving this a WINK/NOD feel to Civil War.

[3dman27]

THE OFFICIAL IMPACT BOYCOTT PRESS RELEASE



http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/Zandrax/iiidaniels.jpg

We are kind of giving this a WINK/NOD feel to Civil War.me i'm with SHARK BOY dump TNA untill the get their acts straight:ninja:

[3dman27]

Tna Tna Throw Russo/angle Crap Away

[TheVileOne]

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=143123353

This is TNA's myspace page with a comment box.

[Mr. Socko]

TNA has gone down hill. But I still watch it on Saturday nights.

[TheVileOne]

Socko . . . please don't watch it anymore.

Do it for Joe, Shelley, and Sabin.

http://i12.tinypic.com/6aqczf6.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/Zandrax/iiiMCMG.jpg

TNA's office phone number: 615-244-5557

[enterthemadness]

Socko . . . please don't watch it anymore.

Do it for Joe, Shelley, and Sabin.

http://i12.tinypic.com/6aqczf6.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/Zandrax/iiiMCMG.jpg

TNA's office phone number: 615-244-5557

You do know that few people in America even have that Nielson box on top of their tv...right? I watch tv, but it doesn't go into the ratings one bit.

[The Sage]

http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/58438/Complete-Congressional-Letter-Sent-to-TNA.htm

Dear Ms. Carter:

We are writing to request information regarding the response of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to allegations of pervasive use of steroids and other drugs by professional wrestlers. The tragic death of Mr. Chris Benoit and his family has focused attention on the seriousness of the problem. Illegal steroid use in professional sports has gained plenty of attention, but the record suggests that the problem is most pervasive and deadly in pro wrestling, an unregulated form of entertainment that is watched on TV and in arenas by an estimated 20 million fans a week, including children. See e.g., attached USA TODAY investigative report, "High death rate lingers behind fun facade of pro wrestling."

As Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the subcommittee with jurisdiction over sports-related matters, we are monitoring this situation very closely. We request a briefing on this matter at the earliest possible time We also are considering a hearing on this matter, and whether there is a need for Federal regulation to protect the health and safety of the wrestlers. In the 109 th Congress, the Subcommittee held a hearing on "Steroids in Sports: Cheating the System and Gambling Your Health," and reported legislation, H.R. 1862, the Drug Free Sports Act

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. implemented a Talent Wellness Program in February 2006. Please advise the Subcommittee by close of business on August 28, 2007, whether TNA has adopted a similar program. If so, please provide the Subcommittee with a copy of your program, as well as any other relevant records detailing the specifics of the program as well as TNA' s implementation and interpretation thereof. Records include memoranda, correspondence, and electronic communications. Please also describe any and all actions that TNA has taken - either within or outside any such program - to detect and prevent steroid abuse. Information, including the aggregate number of random tests conducted in each month this year, would assist the Subcommittee in its review, and we request that you provide that information, as well. We are sending similar information requests to other wrestling leagues.

Should you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact us, or have your staff contact Christian Tomatsu Fjeld or Consuela Washington with the Majority Committee staff at (202) 225-2927 or Brian McCullough or Will Carty with the Minority Committee staff at (202) 225-3641.

Sincerely,

Bobby L. Rush
Chairman
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection

Cliff Stearns
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection

Attachment
cc: The Honorable John D. Dingell, Chairman
Committee on Energy and Commerce

The Honorable Joe Barton, Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce

Credit: PWInsider.com

[The Sage]

http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/articles/69658/2007/08/14/for-your-consideration-why-fans-should-hate-tna.html

For your consideration…Why fans should hate TNA

First off, let me warn that there might be some SPOILERS lurking in this column. I did read the reports from this week's taping to make sure I didn't write something only to have a show contradict me (like the time I wrote an extensive article on Mister Kennedy's MITB countdown only to watch it get taken away that night). Thankfully, I'm good to go.

Now I am going to work off the assumption that there are a healthy number of people who hate the WWE. Trust me, I know this to be a fact. I get e-mails from these people on a weekly basis. There are major complaints that people have with World Wrestling Entertainment, and I tried in earnest to address those last week. In short, people want more wrestling, people hate John Cena, people are sick of the McMahons, people hate the Boogeyman, people hate Randy Orton, people hate a weak Women's Champion, people hate the lack of surprises, people hate Jim Ross and Michael Cole, people hate Todd Grisham, people hate the Great Khali, people hate Mark Henry, people hate squash matches, people hate bad comedy angles and people hate RAW, Smackdown and ECW. That about sums it up.

Yeah, it's always easy to hate the big guy. Fans (like myself) did it with WCW. I always hated WCW throughout the Monday Night Wars. I felt loyalty to the WWE since that was the company that brought me to the dance, and I firmly believed that there was enough of a wrestling audience for both shows to thrive without going head-to-head. When TNA came to Spike TV, they put them on in a late-night Saturday night slot. That slot didn't compete with any WWE programming, so wrestling fans were more then free to watch all the Jarrett they could handle.

The fact that TNA is still around and kicking is a bit surprising. Few thought that a company that aired exclusively on PPV would last a week, let alone extend their survival long enough to wind up on cable. TNA attempted to position itself as the antithesis of the WWE, which was the smartest move a company could make. Sure, they lured you in with the promise of seeing some of your favorite ex-WCW and ex-WWE guys like Scott Hall and Ken Shamrock, but they hooked you with unique wrestling that you weren't getting from Titan Tower.

TNA in 2007 is by almost all accounts a failure. That's a bold statement, I know, and there is ample evidence to support the opposition, but again I come at these problems using logic and reasoning. TNA's buyrates are downright embarrassing and the company has yet to turn a profit. If TNA wanted to do a PPV that fetched 15,000 buy, they wouldn't need guys like Steiner, Sting and Angle. They could probably grab 15,000 people based on the names Samoa Joe, AJ Styles and Abyss. TNA is paying a fortune to have "big names" around, yet those big names have translated into nothing. And what's worse is that TNA is traveling down that same path that WCW took. It amazes me that no one realizes that this is running off the rails here.

Let's start with the problem at the top. The main event at TNA is muddled and blurry and confusing. The fans don't know who to care about from week to week. If TNA was smart (and lets continue the belief that they are not), they would have established Samoa Joe as their top face. The guy is liked by the fans and can deliver in the ring. He's got a unique look and does well on the stick. This should be the face of your company. But the problem here is that TNA doesn't have faith in Samoa Joe. Part of me is conspiratorial and believes that its because Jarrett wants to come back as the top face. Part of me thinks that TNA genuinely doesn't trust Joe to carry the company. What makes me think that? Well, as I said in my Roundtable, if TNA wanted Joe to hold the belt, they wouldn't have done this Karen Angle bull**** storyline. Most of the Net saw the "swerve" coming last week, so TNA effectively telegraphed their main event finish. And just to cement it, they had Abyss go over for the #1 Contender slot.

Kurt Angle is not a comedy act anymore. The WWE learned the hard way about 6 years ago that comedy-heel Angle doesn't draw money. Yeah he's funny and yeah he is willing to debase himself, but at the end of the day that doesn't do anyone any good. Christian is your chicken **** heel. That's his niche. Angle should be the badass. He can be a badass heel. Look at his run against Lesnar. Book Angle as the cocky ******* and you're okay. But this week after week of him crying and *****ing didn't serve any purpose. Sure, it set up the swerve, but they didn't need it. They didn't. Angle/Joe sells itself without the Sports Entertainment. If fans want SE, they would tune into the WWE. I said that this should have been booked more along the lines of Cena/Lashley. There were two guys nowhere near as good as Angle and Joe, yet they got a straight up man up storyline. A cocky Angle versus a determined Joe is a good storyline. Hell, rip off Cena/Hunter from last year. There was your Hollywood slick champion against the gritty underdog. Replicate that. Do that. Now the fans have the images of Angle crying and moaning and that doesn't exactly make him a tough guy. The WWE worked so hard to erase the "You can dance and you can prance but when it comes to relations keep it in your pants" Angle and replace him with the guy that could snap your ankle off if he wanted to. Kurt Angle is a legit badass and he can do cocky heel better then anyone, so why not let him and Joe do a straight-up storyline? Oh yeah…

Jeff Jarrett is worse then Triple H. The fans hate the very sight of Jarrett. Jarrett's not as good in the ring as Triple H. He's not as good on the stick. He's not even as established a superstar as Triple H. To a lot of fans, Jeff Jarrett is the guy that couldn't get past midcard in the WWE and wound up holding the ball in WCW when the bottom fell out. I wish that Jeff would stay behind the scenes. The fans aren't clamoring for him. Hell, there isn't even room for Jarrett on the roster. TNA is gonna have to bump yet another guy to make room for Double J. So here's another example of TNA burying in-house talent to put over someone older who doesn't draw. Kurt Angle occupies the #1 heel slot that Jarrett held. Joe should be the guy occupying the #1 face slot that Jarrett's gonna wind up taking. For months Kurt Angle has been built as the evil heel at the top, and whoever unseats him is going to be a hero in the fans eyes. Unfortunately, that guy riding in on a white horse is going to be holding a guitar. In a company where even Sting is being used in the midcard, maybe its time Jeff realizes that his main event days are over. Speaking of Sting…

Sting is the biggest drain on TNA's resources. Sting is making a fortune. He's a name, yes, but he isn't a big enough name to bring in the fans. I said in the Roundtable that Sting should have been the winner of the Chamber of Horrors 2007 match. Instead they went with Abyss, which I think was a mistake. I think that TNA should have used Sting to be Angle's next big feud. I say this because Sting/Angle would draw enough attention from nostalgia fans and it would leave room for Joe-ference. Sting and Angle are marquise names that can usher in the 2-hour era of TNA. Plus, you can job Sting out to Angle to feed the monster that should rightfully be slaughtered by Joe. Unfortunately, Joe's been screwed over so many times that it's beyond anti-climactic. Now, with Abyss fighting Angle, Sting's gonna do another midcard feud despite not making midcard money. Who would benefit from a Sting feud now? Did Vampiro get a huge bump because of his Sting feud? TNA needs to realize that a guy like this is a drain on their bank account. Plus, if Sting were to pop up in WWE and do one more nostalgia run there, he could secure a place in the Hall of Fame, sign a Legends contract and leave in the spotlight. But TNA isn't using Sting in the main event, they're going with…

Kane…I mean Abyss. Yeah, he's big-ish. Yeah he takes some cool bumps. Problem is, Abyss is Kane. Abyss has been jobbed out so many times that he's kind of a non-entity. Yet, like Kane, TNA thinks that they can keep bringing Abyss up to the main event to be a placeholder. Abyss/Angle doesn't make me want to buy a PPV. It doesn't even make me want to tune in to Impact. Now TNA is going to spend a few weeks making this guy look credible again, which means guys like Christian and James Storm better get ready to do the JOB, which is one letter off from…

Samoa Joe is ****ed. There is no other way to put it. He's got the Lex Luger thing around his neck. He had fan support and then they dropped the ball. Three times! Even WWE isn't that stupid with CM Punk. TNA should have let Angle and Joe do a straight-up storyline and end it with Joe holding all the gold. Now he's their Chris Jericho (though Jericho at least got to be Undisputed Champion) because he's gotten near the top but the powers that be still won't push him that extra inch. What the hell does TNA have to lose? Why not establish ONE homegrown superstar? He better be making a lot of money, that's all I know. With Abyss taking the slot at this PPV and probably Jarrett at the next, Joe's going to just sort of flounder. What else is there? Christian Coalition? Robert Roode? Shark Boy? This is pathetic.

TNA's midcard is screwed. Like I've continued to say, TNA needs a midlevel belt. Now more than ever, TNA needs something for all these big guys to do. You've got Test, Tomko, Roode, Storm, Goldust, Hoyt, Harris, Rhino, Young, Raven and K-Kwik and none of these guys have **** to do. What are they fighting for? ****, even ECW had a TV Title. Give them something to fight for. The X-Division title is fine for the X-Division guys, but no one wants to see Test versus Alex Shelley for the gold. These guys are another drain on the purse strings, and while they make great cannon fodder for the people at the top, the fans need to remember that these folks do win every now and again.

The X-Division cannot go. TNA needs the X-Division to carry the dead weight of this show like WCW needed its cruiserweights. You can't expect us to choke down Abyss versus Bubba Dudley and not give us Daniels/Lethal. TNA, you're going to have 2 hours to kill. Give these guys 20 minutes a show. Hell, give them a whole half hour. Call it the X-Hour, I don't give a ****. Let them do what they do. People like high-flying, and they sure as hell aren't getting it from Scott Steiner. Speaking of that useless pile of ****…

Do SOMETHING with the tag division. The tag division has a lot of fossils who are at the top. You've got the Steiners, the Dudleys, the Outlaws, the Bashams, LAX, Triple X, MCMG, Dutt/Lethal and Serotonin. That's a huge tag division. So why does it feel so stale? Oh yeah, because some of these guys were wrestling for almost 20 years! Look, TNA, I sympathize with you. It's hard to cut a guy like Scott Steiner. He seems like he's a big name. I get it. Unfortunately, he isn't. Sorry. Neither are the Dudleys. Vince cut them for a reason. If he thought there was any money in them, he'd have renewed their contracts. But he didn't. Same for the NAO. Same for the Bashams. The fans realize this, and they're not buying your crap anymore.

So fans, I urge you to hate on TNA. Don't take up arms or anything, just don't buy into their crap anymore. They aren't giving the fans what they want with the talent they have. Instead, they are giving us stupid storylines and pathetic wrestling. We want a viable alternative to the WWE, not WCW.

This has been for your consideration.

[Prognosticator]

:wow: Honesty....wow!

[The Sage]

http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/articles/69641/2007/08/15/the-reality-of-wrestling-joeangle-as-a-metaphor.html

The Reality of Wrestling: Joe/Angle As a Metaphor
By Phil Clark

Joe, get out while you still can

What has happened to this promotion? It did seem that after the first month of Russo's second tenure that TNA could still maintain a good product with Russo at the helm; his first PPV as booker was entertaining and was the highest bought of the three-hour show era. However, in the nine months since, this promotion has managed to dilute a dream feud, pull the plug again with ROH, and lose its very sense of creativity. The buys are going down each month, but nothing seems to change. And with one show that could start the turnaround, they managed to blow it again.

P.C. Says: Joe should be back in ROH after his TNA contract ends

There were other mistakes, but the main-event 'obviously' was the biggest of them all. This was the final opportunity of many for TNA to showcase Samoa Joe as the definitive future of wrestling, and it was pissed away over the same finish that has plagued wrestling for around ten years: The Russo Swerve. What happens is a face will lose the big match to further the feud for the eventual blowoff, which doesn't always even happen in Russo's world. The problem there is that people's careers are put on hold or even sent down a peg just because of one guy's short attention span amongst a group of likeminded individuals. The main reason (I'm guessing) that Jarrett loves the Russo swerve so much (he has used it at least once in every one of his title reigns) is because he has the one thing Angle didn't: a weapon. Weapons are cool for swerves only if they're established and a chair shot ending is just weak these days. Trust me, it would've put over Joe HUGE if Team 3-D and Karen Angle would've interfered because fans like nothing more in wrestling than a face overcoming every possible odd to win a big match. That did work for Steve Austin, remember.

The opening tag seems to be the consensus feel good match of the night as it did show that the X-Division still has talent that can at least put on a good but fun match. In an eerie similarity to WCW, these X-Division matches are being used as the opener for the last two PPVs just like they did for WCW in its final days. I'm not implying anything with that, but for anyone who sees how WCW-ish TNA has gotten these days can't be liking that realization. Still it was a good match and I'm very glad that The Motor City Machine Guns are at least being used as a tag-team. Give the tag division to the X-Division. I said it a while back and I'll say it again.

Did LAX really need a restart to beat VKM? Couldn't they just have stabbed one with a fork, Border Toss another and end it? If you remember back in 2000, VKM -- as The Outlaws -- jobbed the tag belts to what is now Team 3-D in a very quick match clocking in at 5:20 and soon after, they were one of the hottest tag teams on the planet. Did The Outlaws make them stars? Not on your life (Ladder Matches and tables did), but it was very symbolic as is the jobbing of the old in any old v. new themed match. It doesn't have to happen all the time, but it does have to when it's needed to. And that isn't very hard to spot by the way. First meetings are usually a must as they make that first impression on the public (not hard to get huh?). Had LAX came out there, bloodied VKM, and destroyed them with some combination move with the Border Toss ala XXX's finishing sequence, I doubt VKM would lose much in stature as most people's perception of them are never going to change (like Flair). For LAX, it would have definitely made an impression as the guys were the hottest act TNA had in 2006 and people still do remember how cool these guys were just a few months ago. It seems that the only young guy to benefit in this type of match has been Kazarian.

That's exactly how they ****ed up Joe/Angle right out of the gate: the first meeting. In '02, Rock/Brock could've happened a month after Brock won the shot, but they stretched it out a month and got a great buyrate since it was at one of the Big Four. That extra month gave The E a shot to make fans really salavate at the prospect of this match: and it wasn't even a dream match. Joe/Angle has been a dream match since Joe's ROH title reign set the wrestling world on fire back in '04 and they still blew it. Even with the quickness of it, to have Angle win was the absolute wrong move; especially considering it was Angle that made the call to end the match somewhat abruptly after only around fifteen minutes. This is by no means a rip on Angle, but he was in the position as a surprise castoff of The E (ala Luger in '95) to create a new star out of this young promotion. Trust me, a conclusive Joe win back in November would've done that much for his career if not necessarily for TNA. Plus, they could've done things the same way they did with Angle and Joe in each other's faces all the time, but they don't actually face each other in the ring. Three matches: the first could've been in December, second in the cage, and third for the title in Atlanta. Instead, most of the drawing power of the match was lost since Angle was established as the higher of the two with his established stature within the business and that all-important W.

Yes, wins and losses do matter in wrestling. Even if Joe beats Angle for the belt in October (my guess for Atlanta), that won't even make their series even, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who realizes that. And don't say that won't matter since it'll be a title match, this last match was for EVERY TITLE IN THE COMPANY. Sorry, but that is a big deal even if titles don't mean what they used to.

When it comes to Samoa Joe, I do believe that Ring of Honor has more to offer him right now. At this point, TNA has managed to create their promotion's first star of the Spike Era in Joe and job him out in pretty decent time. Whereas if he went back to ROH right now, he would be greeted with open arms and would be inserted in ANY feud that was at the top. And this wouldn't be as gratuitous as that booking move usually is because Joe is to Ring of Honor was Steve Austin or Hulk Hogan is to The E. Period.

The Reality is... TNA is likely where Joe will stay. It is a bigger platform for him to become a star and TNA will always push him in some form. It is likely that he will become the face of TNA by the time November comes around and who knows, maybe TNA could pull a miracle and begin to turn around. Maybe it will all turn out to be a slower than usual process. I, on the other hand, have more faith in Ring of Honor making Joe a star because it was where Joe first gained popularity amongst the wrestling community (and you know it's where TNA first saw him). I'm not saying that ROH's PPVs are going to skyrocket because of Joe or really anybody; ROH is an Indy fed as it should be, but ECW was able to help launch the careers of people while being an Indy promotion. I believe it will have the same effect on Joe especially at this point in his career. Looking at a lot of booking decisions showing how unwilling America's Big Two are to make new stars in recent years (Orton's first push getting ****ed, Benoit, Jericho, Guerrero, Michaels' mega push since his return, Hogan coming back and back) because it seems that Japan is beginning to learn their lesson. In recent years, wrestlers like Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Jun Akiyama, Shinjiro Ohtani, Masato Tanaka, and others have suffered somewhat from shortsightedness and poor booking within the company. However, yesterday one of New Japan's 'New Three Musketeers' Hiroshi Tanahashi won his first G-1 Climax -- Japan's biggest singles tournament -- beating New Japan's world champ Yuji Nagata. Nagata ironically was the man who ended Tanahashi's first title reign (a pretty good one) earlier this year setting up a rubber match in October at Sumo Hall. The show itself by reports drew the promotion's biggest legit attendance in the building in years. Nagata, not the biggest draw in his first title reign, now has legend status and thus was able to help Tanahashi in what could've been his star making win despite already being champ once. Good move, and Nagata hopefully will get the rubber match because Nagata/Mutoh would be perfect for the Tokyo Dome in January.

TNA, please smarten up. People are looking for you to succeed by being different from The E. There's the message. I bring up so many references from the past, because I told TNA to learn from it a while back and it just seems that the people within won't do that. Not to get prophetic, but if Joe actually does leave when his contract is up, that very mistake could lead to the end. It happened under Russo's watch once, who's to say it won't happen again?

This week's '**** YOU!' goes to:

MAINSTREAM SPORTS MEDIA
As if Joe/Angle wasn't disheartening enough, Pacman's welcome was no surprise to me. What did TNA think was going to happen? Wrestling fans these days don't care about celebrities that aren't really celebrities. Pacman Jones is a pro football player on suspension for allegedly being involved in a shooting at a strip club in Las Vegas during NBA all-star weekend. Was this the best celebrity these guys could think of? The MLB stars didn't do anything for the promotion, but Wycheck at least fit since it was in Nashville. Mainstream sports media -- ESPN, CBS, etc. -- saw right through this (as they should've), but please DO THE ****ING RESEARCH. To come out and openly say that you don't know about this promotion is not helping. How does that help? Not only that, but it is downright insulting... more so when it happened during the fiasco that was the MMA v. Boxing feud. First off, it's not Ultimate Fighting, it's Mixed Martial-Arts because there's more than one style at work ('dee-dee-dee' to quote Carlos Mencia). Not only that, but it seems that after Liddell/Rampage that nobody on ESPN really cares about MMA, a fact that is particularly sad considering a unification match -- something big in the fight game -- is coming up. Now I know wrestling isn't a real sport and people still think that MMA isn't a sport like Boxing (it is), but the people that have been reporting on these things are better than this; I know they are. Doing the research is part of your job and look like idiots to insiders, which may not mean much, but they are part of the audience too, and they are to their sport and fake sport what you are to all sports.

[Hunter Rider]

Not a bad article but he is slightly off when it comes to the Joe/Angle booking.

[strikezone89]

i liked the booking article

[Mr. Socko]

Where's normal wrestling thread?

[Hunter Rider]

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3015/damnby2.png (http://imageshack.us/)

[TheVileOne]

The Angle/Joe booking was terrible from start to finish.

[Warhammer]

VileOne, did you call TNA yet?

[3dman27]

Socko . . . please don't watch it anymore.

Do it for Joe, Shelley, and Sabin.

http://i12.tinypic.com/6aqczf6.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/Zandrax/iiiMCMG.jpg

TNA's office phone number: 615-244-5557

do if for SHARK BOY AND ERIC YOUNG:ninja:

[enterthemadness]

What would you guys think of Brock in TNA? Personally, they have the talent..just bad booking and not enough time to showcase their talent. A 2-hour show (which probably will happen starting in October) will/should fix this.

http://www.sescoops.com/tna/Brock_Lesnar_In_Talks_With_TNA_Many_Releases_More. shtml


TNA Wrestling is currently in preliminary negotiations with former WWE champion Brock Lesnar.
Kurt Angle is the one who is brokering the deal and bringing the 2 sides together. Angle has a very good relationship with Lesnar and has tried several times to convince him to join TNA.


Dixie Carter has already had one meeting with Lesnar in Nashville to discuss the possibility of working together. Carter made it very clear to Lesnar that she understands Brock's MMA involvement and would be 100% flexable to his schedule. TNA is hoping to get SpikeTV to help pay Lesnar, as they did for the massive contracts given to Kurt Angle and Sting.


Brock Lesnar actually contacted WWE early this year about a 1-time appearance at WrestleMania. He offered to job cleanly to whoever WWE wanted - but he wanted too much money and Vince McMahon was still furious about the way Lesnar left WWE 3 years ago and the back-and-forth lawsuits that followed.


If a deal is made, Lesnar is expected to start with the company this fall, when TNA iMPACT! expands to 2 hours on Thursday nights. This would be a tremendous acquisition for TNA.

[nite-owl]

Yes because that's what TNA needs another ex-WWE wrestler. Especially one that quit wrestling to play football and quit football to go back to wrestling and then refuse to lose the IWGP title and then went into M.M.A.:whatever:

[Twitch]

do if for SHARK BOY AND ERIC YOUNG:ninja:

Shark Boy is a jobber. He's going nowhere regardless.

[3dman27]

Yes because that's what TNA needs another ex-WWE wrestler. Especially one that quit wrestling to play football and quit football to go back to wrestling and then refuse to lose the IWGP title and then went into M.M.A.:whatever:

point taken

[Prognosticator]

point taken

3dman, I need your vote! :o

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=281828

We've gotta keep the drive alive or the Berman Poster at SNME will never see the light of day! :( :cmad: !!

[Prognosticator]

,,,,the Prog must live on! Like 'Jake the Snake' after his infamous drunk appearance on TNA last year! :o

[Hunter Rider]

IMPACT spoilers..........my god, they expect ppl to watch this incoherent crap ?:huh:

The following is from Richard of PWInsider.com:

TNA taped the next two episodes of Impact tonight, leading up to the No Surrender PPV, in Orlando, Florida at Universal Studios Soundstage 21. Complete results of the taping featured:

Impact 8/30

*Team 3D vs. The Motor City Machine Guns was announced, but before it could begin Scott Steiner came out. He tells Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley to get out of the ring. Steiner brawls with Team 3D. He has control of the situation and goes to get a table. Devon attacks Steiner and they nail him with the 3D. Devon grabs several chairs. Ray sets a chair on Steiner's throat, playing off his surgery, and Devon nails it with another chair. Brother Ray said that Steiner would be going back to the hospital. Security comes to the ring to clear it. Security tries to help Steiner to the back. 3D attack security and bring Steiner back into the ring. They set up a table in the ring. They lay out Steiner through it. Steiner does a stretcher job.

*Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin return to the ring. Sabin says that no team can match them for their total sexiness. Shelley says that TNA needs some heroes and they challenge anyone to face them and bump up the ratings. Voodoo Kin Mafia come out...

*The Voodoo Kin Mafia defeated The Motor City Machine Guns in under 90 seconds. Kip James gets the mic and asks if they are any tag teams that want to challenge them. LAX, XXX and Eric Young & Shark Boy all come out. All four rings brawl in the ring. It settles down to LAX and Young/Shark Boy.

*Sting defeated AJ Styles, Christian Cage and Samoa Joe in order to become the new TNA Tag team champion (with Kurt Angle). Samoa Joe had the Samoan dance troupe for his entrance. Before the match started, TNA Everything champion Kurt Angle and Karen Angle came to ringside to watch. Sting forced Styles to tape to the Scorpion Deathlock. Before the finish, Joe was given the Unprettier on the floor by Cage and was out for awhile. Cage and Styles were discussing how to finish off Sting. Cage goes to get a chair but Joe stops him from getting back in the ring and they brawl to the back. Sting is down in the ring. Styles tried to distract the referee as Tomko interferes. Styles only gets a two count. Sting forces Styles to tap.

*After the match, Sting gets his belt from Kurt Angle and Karen raises their hand. The Angles leave. Ron Killings and Pacman Jones attack Sting (well, Killings did) and Jones spraypaints Sting's back. Angle makes the save.

TNA Today or Road to No Surrender Bout (not sure)

*Eric Young & Shark Boy defeated Sonjay Dutt & Petey Williams when Young hit a double death valley driver on Williams.

Impact 9/6

*Tomko defeated Kaz. During the bout, Robert Roode and Traci Brooks come out. Roode tries to interfere but it backfires. Kaz hits a baseball slide on Roode and brawls with him. After the match, Brooks checks on Kaz but Roode yells at her and attacks him. Tomko gets in Roode's face and shoves him to the mat.

*Samoa Joe defeated Raven. AJ Styles comes out with a kendo stick and hits Joe to try and help Raven. Joe chokes out Raven. After the match, Joe pulls Styles into the ring. Tomko hits the ring, followed by Christian Cage. Christian hits Joe with a chair. They handcuff Joe to the ropes. The members of Samoa Joe's dance troupe tried to protect Joe but they were laid out. They hit a One Man Conchairto to one of the dancers while Joe is cuffed to the ropes. Security comes out and they uncuff Joe. Joe grabs a kendo stick and runs off in pursuit of Cage and company.

*Abyss and Jay Lethal defeated TNA Tag Team champions Kurt Angle and Sting in a non-title match when Abyss pinned Angle with the Black Hole Slam. During the match, Karen came to the ring. Angle picked her up and carried her back to the stage. He backed up into Abyss and they began fighting. Abyss had Sting and Angle for a double chokeslam, but Abyss decided to let Sting go. Abyss had Angle set up for a powerslam, but Angle escaped. He hit an Olympic Slam. He went for the Ankle Lock but Abyss escaped and hit the Black Hole Slam for a three count. After the match, Abyss retrieved a bag of something from under the ring. Jim Mitchell comes out and Abyss sees him, then chases Mitchell to the back. Angle is still down in the ring, so Pacman Jones and Ron Killings come out through the crowd and attack Sting, then spraypaint Angle's back.

Xplosion:

*Robert Roode pinned Homicide with a Perfectplex.

*Gail Kim & Chris Harris defeated BG James & Roxxi after Gail pinned Roxxi with a missile dropkick. The women were the showcase of the bout.

[Eric Draven]

Wow. That show sounds like a total mess.

[strikezone89]

wow, the show is falling apart

[Max J Power]

The fact that the MCMGs got squashed by VKM makes me want to act violently.

[3dman27]

]I'm Interested Inthe GAIL VS ROXXIEpart:ninja:

[nite-owl]

The fact that the MCMGs got squashed by VKM makes me want to act violently.

In 90 seconds no less.

[NDX]

And now I point and laugh at TNA.

[Sarge 2.0]

More reason for me to not watch TNA would be Jimmy Rave.

I never understood why people were clamoring for him to become the champ in ROH. He's pretty worthless, if you ask me.

[Hunter Rider]

More reason for me to not watch TNA would be Jimmy Rave.

I never understood why people were clamoring for him to become the champ in ROH. He's pretty worthless, if you ask me.

Agreed, he was made by Nana, once the Embassy was dropped he became meh just like he was pre Embassy.

[Sarge 2.0]

Man...I miss Prince Nana. :(

[The FallenAngel]

What's happened to Nana? He should be in the WWE. :(

[Twitch]

I think he got a job in real-life, I forgot what is was through.

[Sarge 2.0]

He's actually a prince in Ghana. For real. So, maybe that had something to do with it.

[The FallenAngel]

Wrestling is more important than Ghana. :cmad:

[NDX]

Nana was gold.

[enterthemadness]

I haven't seen the past two week's and won't see the next two. Won't watch again...until the two-hour show hits next month or in October.

TNA is better than this.

[Sarge 2.0]

I haven't seen the past two week's and won't see the next two. Won't watch again...until the two-hour show hits next month or in October.

TNA is better than this.No it's not. :huh:

When has TNA ever proven itself to be a better company than they are at this point in time? I don't even follow the stuff anymore, and I used to at least read up on the write ups of Impact and the PPV's to keep up with how horrible the company has been doing. TNA has really always been ****ty, it's just much, much ****tier now.

[Hunter Rider]

In regards to recent rumors that he would be leaving TNA for perhaps a deal in WWE, Samoa Joe posted the following on his official web site: "Former X-Division champion Samoa Joe has been telling people that he would rather accept an entry level WWE contract (believed to be $50,000 per year), rather than resigning with TNA. Joe is not happy in TNA, and doesn't want to stay with the company when his current contract expires." This statement is untrue because of one tell all reason. "he would rather accept an entry level WWE contract (believed to be $50,000 per year), rather than resigning with TNA." Buuuuuuuuuull*****, Are you crazy? I really really like money! You see, the goal as a career pro wrestler is to work hard, make money, and hopefully have a life that is somewhat of a comfortable experience in your latter years. Do many of us succeed? Well, no but a Kid can dream can't he? The only reason why I choose to openly refute this rumor is because in all honesty it makes me look SO UNCOOL around the office! I mean when you make up cool rumors that make me seem all super rebellious and anti authority I just ride with it, but when you make up rumors that I am going to work just as hard for less money, well that just make me feel that you think I would be dumb enough to do something like that. In closing, My name is Samoa Joe and You can watch me & TNA Wrestling on SPIKE TV..

Dammit Joe:csad:

[3dman27]

who's the new TNA womens champion?
never mind thats next months ppv

[Sarge 2.0]

Dammit Joe:csad:I know. :csad:

[nite-owl]

Scans from the TNA game. Note I got these another board.

http://www.sescoops.com/galleries/tnagame/pics9.jpg
http://www.sescoops.com/galleries/tnagame/pics7.jpg

[The FallenAngel]

As much as I hate TNA, I may still play that. Looks pretty good graphics wise.

[Mr. Socko]

Looks cool, TNA has become pretty lame though.

[baby_webhead]

Scans from the TNA game. Note I got these another board.

http://www.sescoops.com/galleries/tnagame/pics9.jpg
http://www.sescoops.com/galleries/tnagame/pics7.jpg

Wow that looks nice. I'd like to play that game... maybe let joe finally kill angle. :p But why is sting dressed like that?

[nite-owl]

More on the game.

On the newest TNA Today with Samoa Joe, they talked a little about the TNA game:

-It's suppose to come out in 2008

-Joe & AJ were working with the guys on it.

-It is using the Unreal engine.

-Jeremy Borash does not know what the Unreal engine is.

-Jeremy Borash & Dixie Carter played an early build of it(with JB as Joe & Dixie as AJ)

[Assassin]

the 2 hr timeslot debuts on my birthday, what a way to taint my day TNA :cmad:

[3dman27]

whats wrong with that?

[Assassin]

its bad luck god damnit dont argue with me

[Hunter Rider]

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Behind the scenes, Christian Cage is well-liked by his peers. He is not particularly involved with the backstage politics. Out of anyone in a top position in TNA, he's probably the least involved in the backstage politics. Instead, he focuses most of his energy backstage on preparing his promos. Sometimes he'll work on his content for hours on end like a politician getting ready for a big speech.

It was recently reported that Jerry Lynn would walk around looking miserable as if he'd rather be anywhere else but TNA. In his defense, an ally of Lynn said that he had reasons to be frustrated at times. Also, he never caused any political headaches backstage or played any games like so many others. The ally noted that Lynn deserved better from TNA.

[Hunter Rider]

*SPOILERS* TNA iMPACT! TAPING RESULTS (2 HOUR SHOW)
The following is from PWInsider.com:

*Rhino defeated Black Reign. Raven came to the ring during the match as Rhino was preparing for a gore. Rave pulled Reign down to save him from the gore. Rhino took out Raven and got the pin. Raven got involved after the pin and there were a series of run-ins involving Abyss, Jim Mitchell, Sting and Havok. No Judas Mesias. Sting was left in the ring when TNA champion Kurt Angle appeared on the screen from Sting's son's school and said that if he had a son, he wouldn't miss his football games like Sting is tonight and said he was going to stay there and watch the game, trying to get inside Sting's mind.

*Backstage, Team 3D attacked X-Division Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt as they were being interviewed by Jeremy Borash backstage. 3D dragged them into the ring and said they would keep attacking everyone on the roster until they got a title shot against Team Pacman. Shark Boy tried to make the save but was put on a table. The table collapsed. They hit a Dudley Death Drop through a table on Lethal.

*Gail Kim defeated Jackie Moore. Christy Hemme and Roxxi attack Kim.

*TNA Tag Team champions Team Pacman defeated Team 3D by DQ when VKM attacked Ron Killings. The Steiners come out and 3D leave.

*Eric Young wins a Gauntlet, defeating James Storm.

*Samoa Joe & Junior Fatu & LAX defeated Christian Cage & AJ Styles & Senshi & Christopher Daniels (with Elix Skipper) when Joe pinned Senshi with a muscle buster in about eight minutes in a good match.

No other backstage vignettes aired.

Xplosion:

*Eric Young defeated Jimmy Rave.

*Jay Lethal pinned Havok.:dry:

[Max J Power]

*SPOILERS* TNA iMPACT! TAPING RESULTS (2 HOUR SHOW)
The following is from PWInsider.com:

*Rhino defeated Black Reign. Raven came to the ring during the match as Rhino was preparing for a gore. Rave pulled Reign down to save him from the gore. Rhino took out Raven and got the pin. Raven got involved after the pin and there were a series of run-ins involving Abyss, Jim Mitchell, Sting and Havok. No Judas Mesias. Sting was left in the ring when TNA champion Kurt Angle appeared on the screen from Sting's son's school and said that if he had a son, he wouldn't miss his football games like Sting is tonight and said he was going to stay there and watch the game, trying to get inside Sting's mind.

*Backstage, Team 3D attacked X-Division Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt as they were being interviewed by Jeremy Borash backstage. 3D dragged them into the ring and said they would keep attacking everyone on the roster until they got a title shot against Team Pacman. Shark Boy tried to make the save but was put on a table. The table collapsed. They hit a Dudley Death Drop through a table on Lethal.

*Gail Kim defeated Jackie Moore. Christy Hemme and Roxxi attack Kim.

*TNA Tag Team champions Team Pacman defeated Team 3D by DQ when VKM attacked Ron Killings. The Steiners come out and 3D leave.

*Eric Young wins a Gauntlet, defeating James Storm.

*Samoa Joe & Junior Fatu & LAX defeated Christian Cage & AJ Styles & Senshi & Christopher Daniels (with Elix Skipper) when Joe pinned Senshi with a muscle buster in about eight minutes in a good match.

No other backstage vignettes aired.

Xplosion:

*Eric Young defeated Jimmy Rave.

*Jay Lethal pinned Havok.:dry:
That sounds alright.

[Sarge 2.0]

*SPOILERS* TNA iMPACT! TAPING RESULTS (2 HOUR SHOW)
The following is from PWInsider.com:

*Rhino defeated Black Reign. Raven came to the ring during the match as Rhino was preparing for a gore. Rave pulled Reign down to save him from the gore. Rhino took out Raven and got the pin. Raven got involved after the pin and there were a series of run-ins involving Abyss, Jim Mitchell, Sting and Havok. No Judas Mesias. Sting was left in the ring when TNA champion Kurt Angle appeared on the screen from Sting's son's school and said that if he had a son, he wouldn't miss his football games like Sting is tonight and said he was going to stay there and watch the game, trying to get inside Sting's mind.

*Backstage, Team 3D attacked X-Division Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt as they were being interviewed by Jeremy Borash backstage. 3D dragged them into the ring and said they would keep attacking everyone on the roster until they got a title shot against Team Pacman. Shark Boy tried to make the save but was put on a table. The table collapsed. They hit a Dudley Death Drop through a table on Lethal.

*Gail Kim defeated Jackie Moore. Christy Hemme and Roxxi attack Kim.

*TNA Tag Team champions Team Pacman defeated Team 3D by DQ when VKM attacked Ron Killings. The Steiners come out and 3D leave.

*Eric Young wins a Gauntlet, defeating James Storm.

*Samoa Joe & Junior Fatu & LAX defeated Christian Cage & AJ Styles & Senshi & Christopher Daniels (with Elix Skipper) when Joe pinned Senshi with a muscle buster in about eight minutes in a good match.

No other backstage vignettes aired.

Xplosion:

*Eric Young defeated Jimmy Rave.

*Jay Lethal pinned Havok.:dry:I can't even figure out what's supposed to be going on in that first match. And since when were LAX faces?

[NDX]

After Konnan bolted and they entered piss poor booking hell.

I'll be watching the main event and the main event only.

[3dman27]

i'll be looking forward to the gail vs jackie match myself

[nite-owl]

I miss Jimmy in ROH.

[3dman27]

what to you think of the 2 hour TNA

[LastSunrise1981]

I can't even figure out what's supposed to be going on in that first match. And since when were LAX faces?

Um, did Kurt forget that he does have a son? :huh:

[3dman27]

in real life yes that was just a bad storyline
i watched last weeks show today as i was away from home until last night whats this about somebody trying to steal letticia's job?