- Mike Johnson reports that TNA is looking at 3/27 as the possible date for the first ever live broadcast of iMPACT!. TNA is hoping to draw in some WWE fans to the tapings who will be in town for Wrestlemania.
- TNA iMPACT! the video game is now slated for a 6/2 release. The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will retail for $59.99, the Wii version for $49.99 and the PS2 version for $39.99.
- There is still no update on the fate of Marvel Toys TNA action figure line. Toy Fair is in a few weeks and hopefully we will find out something then.
- Jack Evans is expected to make a full recovery after surgery to repair facial injuries. Doctors are still unsure when Evans can return to the ring with the earliest estimate being April. We will keep you updated.
- WWE is no longer allowing fans to use cell phones to take photographs or videos at live shows.
- The new Raw anniversary CD dropped to #91 on the latest Billboard chart. The disc has sold 90,000 units excluding Wal-Mart sales.
- John Cena is moving to New Orleans and will be based there until the conclusion of the shooting of his upcoming WWE movie.
- OVW talent Katie Lea worked dark last week with Paul Burchill as his sister "Katie Burchill." As previously noted, the plan is for Burchill and Katie Lea to work an incest angle on WWE television.
-- The latest on Raven is that he's through with the company. Reportedly, his contract expired and TNA decided against offering him a new one.
-- When a wrestler asked a company official about all the unrealistic scenarios, logic gaps, overbooking, lack a focused PPV build, etc... being booked on TNA programming, the official replied by saying, "We can't be UFC, so we try to be the exact opposite."
-- More on TNA booking, they're thinking about cutting down on the amount of comedy taking place on the program -- at least for now -- as they want to try and push some more serious storylines. However, they are happy with Shark Boy and Curry Man as they will continue to push them for as long as the crowd appears to be into them.
-- TNA wrestler "Cowboy" James Storm has been dating backstage interview girl Crystal Louthan for a few months now. Storm recently wrote the following on his MySpace account (
www.myspace.com/cowboyjamesstorm) regarding his relationship with Louthan: "We have had so many memories just in the 3 months we have been together. She's not only a great lover but also a great friend. Crystal is the lady I can see myself with for the rest of my life. Someone that I would want to settle down and have kids with someday. When I hear people say that they are "IT". Now I truly know what that means. I love everything about her. From her deformed tattoo to the way her eyes go crossed. HAHA (It's so cute). Even her flaws, she works so hard to overcome them. SO HARD. She makes me want to live everyday for HER. To be around her every min. To kiss and touch her is an honor for me. There is nothing that God, Crystal and I can't overcome. Sorry girls But, Crystal is my present and future. I am so in love with this girl. Thank you God and Thank you Crystal. I LOVE YOU!!!"
-- There is no heat on Shelly "Salinas" Martinez in regards to her "fetish" DVD that is scheduled to be released this month. TNA officials were well aware of her endeavour before she signed a contract with the company.
-- JBL's new 'Mamajuana' energy drink is being marketed as an 'herbal aphrodisiac'.
-- Before his fight on Saturday, Vince McMahon gave Brock Lesnar a good-luck phone call, reports the Las Vegas Sun. Despite his defeat, Lesnar has no plans to bail on his MMA career like some may think. "I'm here for as long as I can fight here. This was not a one-shot deal," said Lesnar.
-- Doctors medically John Cena in time for the January 7th Raw at the Mohegan Sun Casino. The original plan was for Cena to come out and announce that he would be making his in-ring return at the Royal Rumble. If you recall, it was reported that Cena was at the building that evening, and that there were plans for him to appear on Raw that night. Vince McMahon and Raw writer Brian Gewirtz wanted Cena to make his return that night, but Stephanie McMahon and Bruce Prichard argued for the surprise return. Vince changed his mind and opted to keep Cena's return as a Royal Rumble surprise.
-- Paul London, Lance Cade and Val Venis all returned from their respective injuries at tonight's Raw taping in Austin, Texas. Cade separated his shoulder at a house show in Atlanta on Dec. 28. He returned in a tag match with Murdoch vs. Holly & Rhodes. London had been out since Dec. 17 with a foot injury. He wrestled in a tag match between him & Kendrick and Santino & Carlito. In a losing effort, Val Venis worked a dark match with Charlie Haas. He had been out since Oct. 22. Venis had some sort of surgery, which put him out of action.
-- On tonight's Raw, WWE aired a promotional package hyping Candice Michelle's return. No date yet on when she's returning, as the package simply said "Candice Returns". It won't be happening on next week's show at least as she didn't return during tonight's second Raw taping. Candice has been out of action since Oct. 22.
-- The rumored Paul Burchill and Katie Lea brother/sister act is coming to Raw. The two debuted during the second taping of Raw, which will air next Monday. Burchill defeated Brian Kendick in a short match. Burchill's doing a tagline where he gets on the mic and says "What Katie Wants, Katie Gets."
-- ECW wrestler Kevin Thorn is now working under his real name, Kevin Fertig, in Ohio Valley Wrestling. He worked under his real name on last week's OVW TV show.
-- Raw wrestler Drew McIntyre has also been appearing on OVW shows as of late. Since being moved to the Raw roster in mid-December, McIntyre has worked a total of one TV match -- a bout with Charlie Haas that aired on the 1/4 Heat. McIntyre hasn't appeared in a WWE ring since the 1/14 Raw, so it would appear that he's been pulled off the road for the time being.
Sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider.com