The Wrestling Thread.....Has No Confidence - Part 34

[Team Andino]

I'm just curious what Wrestler Biography's have you guys read?

I've only read Foley's first two, the Rock's and Austin's. Any recommendations?

I've read a few of them but Jericho's are great, his first book is about as good as Foley's first book.

 

[Wheels]

Hogan buried Roode pretty hard there. Really bad move by Hulk, but I agree with him about Storm. I hate Nascar and beer, and I'm not a huge fan country music, but I'm a fan of Storm. It's the way he carries himself with that swagger and attitude; when he speaks I completely buy into what he's saying and his character in general. Plus he has the best catchphrase of all the active wrestlers

I'd like to add that I think Storm is just as good as Roode when it comes to working. Roode does wrestle a style I favor though

 

[Superark]

At first I thought Hogan was in kayfabe mode but he's not, Way to bury the title match so he can then go to the very next question and put himself vs sting over even though they only had 2 PPV matches. He fails to mention that while his first match with Sting did the best buyrate in WCW history, his politicical BS in the outcomes of that match and the rematch were the reason WCW started to lose momentum and their ratings and buyrates began to drop.



I know you agree with him on this Superark and you both may be right, I actually agree with Hogan that Roode is probably better suited to being a heel, but this was hardly the time to give two answers that bury the guy who the promotion has built up as the challenger for their world title at this Sunday's PPV.

Agree with you on all accounts! I just don't know what Hogan was thinking. It's not that he didn't make a couple of valid points, but he completely buried Roode and I think he buried AJ in a backhanded way too. Hogan sure does love to put himself over. He completely lives in his own world and doesn't take anything else into account. Why on Earth would you do this to the company who just signed you right before their biggest PPV of the year?! I'd be up in arms if I was TNA management or on the TNA roster.

First I gotta listen to HHH completely bury the locker room on national tv (again) and then Hogan buries TNA's main event star on national radio. What the hell is wrong with these people?!

 

[BlackLantern]

its funny....

 

[Superark]

Credit to www.Prowrestling.net

TNA Hires former WWE Writer

Former WWE creative team member Dave Lagana has joined the TNA creative division as the Director of Creative Writing. "I leave Ring of Honor to tackle new challenges," Lagana wrote on his website. "I’ve accepted a position as Director of Creative Writing with TNA Wrestling.

"My duties will be to focus solely on the development of new wrestling shows beyond the Impact wrestling show. I’m excited to see what the future holds and thank everyone for the support over not only the last nine months of this site but through my entire career." To read the full blog, visitIWantWrestling.com.

Powell's POV: Lagana was with WWE from 2002 to 2008. Paul Heyman wanted to bring Lagana and Gabe Sapolsky with him to TNA when he was negotiating with Dixie Carter. TNA would also be wise to use Lagana for his social media knowledge. It's worth noting that Lagana worked with Bruce Prichard while both men were in WWE.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Hogan needs to stay away from TNA and stick with doing Rent-A-Center commercials with former NFL QB Troy Aikman.

 

[Superark]

Credit www.PWInsider.com

TNA TO LAUNCH BRAND NEW INTERNATIONAL BRAND BEFORE THE END OF 2011: FULL EXCLUSIVE DETAILS
by Mike Johnson @ 5:39 PM on 10/14/2011

TNA hired Dave Lagana not to work on the existing Impact Wrestling series, but to take part in a brand new project the company will be launching later this year in India. The new project will be a weekly series for the Indian market that will not be utilizing the TNA brand name, PWInsider.com has exclusively learned.


Sources indicate that the project, which has been spearheaded by Jeff Jarrett, will be taping for a week in December with an additional week of tapings also scheduled for January 2012.

The project will be a completely separate entity from TNA - both in terms of the creative team and the roster of talents. Joining Lagana and Jarrett on the creative end of things will be Dutch Mantel.

Former TNA referee Rudy Charles has also been very involved in the development of the project's roster. The word we are getting is that they have cultivated a potential roster of former WWE/TNA/WCW/ECW types as well as independent talents that have not had major television exposure. I do not know if any talents have been signed as of this writing.
Sonjay Dutt, who was in India last week with BG James to scout talent, will also be a major part of the project. The project had well over 100 potential Indian talents try out and of those, ten were selected and will be brought to the United States to train as pro wrestlers and be part of the new series. Obviously, James will not be involved as he has taken a position as a WWE Producer on a probationary basis.

The new series will air in India on The Colors Network (known here in the United States as Aapka Colors in the U.S), a Viacom-owned network that launched in 2008. Endemol, a major international television production and distribution company, is also involved with the project.

One would think the series would find its way to the United States and other markets as well in some fashion, but nothing is confirmed in that regard. Colors is, however, carried on a number of satellite systems, including the Dish Network.

So, there you have it. A brand new, internationally based TNA brand will launch before the end of 2011.

 

[Wheels]

WOW TNA just kicked ROH in the balls. Lagana was a big asset to ROH.

 

[Hellion]

Credit www.PWInsider.com

TNA TO LAUNCH BRAND NEW INTERNATIONAL BRAND BEFORE THE END OF 2011: FULL EXCLUSIVE DETAILS
by Mike Johnson @ 5:39 PM on 10/14/2011

TNA hired Dave Lagana not to work on the existing Impact Wrestling series, but to take part in a brand new project the company will be launching later this year in India. The new project will be a weekly series for the Indian market that will not be utilizing the TNA brand name, PWInsider.com has exclusively learned.


Sources indicate that the project, which has been spearheaded by Jeff Jarrett, will be taping for a week in December with an additional week of tapings also scheduled for January 2012.

The project will be a completely separate entity from TNA - both in terms of the creative team and the roster of talents. Joining Lagana and Jarrett on the creative end of things will be Dutch Mantel.

Former TNA referee Rudy Charles has also been very involved in the development of the project's roster. The word we are getting is that they have cultivated a potential roster of former WWE/TNA/WCW/ECW types as well as independent talents that have not had major television exposure. I do not know if any talents have been signed as of this writing.
Sonjay Dutt, who was in India last week with BG James to scout talent, will also be a major part of the project. The project had well over 100 potential Indian talents try out and of those, ten were selected and will be brought to the United States to train as pro wrestlers and be part of the new series. Obviously, James will not be involved as he has taken a position as a WWE Producer on a probationary basis.

The new series will air in India on The Colors Network (known here in the United States as Aapka Colors in the U.S), a Viacom-owned network that launched in 2008. Endemol, a major international television production and distribution company, is also involved with the project.

One would think the series would find its way to the United States and other markets as well in some fashion, but nothing is confirmed in that regard. Colors is, however, carried on a number of satellite systems, including the Dish Network.

So, there you have it. A brand new, internationally based TNA brand will launch before the end of 2011.

so...TNA Tough Enough...in India?

 

[BlackLantern]

maybe they are looking to actually start a self sustaining promotion in India?

its ambitious, but you never know

 

[Superark]

It makes sense for TNA to do an international project given that their overseas market brings in a lot of money for them unlike their domestic market.

 

[Pink Ranger]

maybe they are looking to actually start a self sustaining promotion in India?

its ambitious, but you never know

If wrestling can be a big, self-sustaining business in Japan, then India and China are ripe for such an initiative too.

 

[BlackLantern]

I would agree

 

[Dr. Evil]

Depending on how the WWE does there, I would think Brazil is also a possibility. It would all depend on the success of the WWE there though.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

Watching this battle royal. Am I the only one that noticed that CM Punk wasn't really eliminated? He went out under the bottom rope.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

Credit www.PWInsider.com

TNA TO LAUNCH BRAND NEW INTERNATIONAL BRAND BEFORE THE END OF 2011: FULL EXCLUSIVE DETAILS
by Mike Johnson @ 5:39 PM on 10/14/2011

TNA hired Dave Lagana not to work on the existing Impact Wrestling series, but to take part in a brand new project the company will be launching later this year in India. The new project will be a weekly series for the Indian market that will not be utilizing the TNA brand name, PWInsider.com has exclusively learned.


Sources indicate that the project, which has been spearheaded by Jeff Jarrett, will be taping for a week in December with an additional week of tapings also scheduled for January 2012.

The project will be a completely separate entity from TNA - both in terms of the creative team and the roster of talents. Joining Lagana and Jarrett on the creative end of things will be Dutch Mantel.

Former TNA referee Rudy Charles has also been very involved in the development of the project's roster. The word we are getting is that they have cultivated a potential roster of former WWE/TNA/WCW/ECW types as well as independent talents that have not had major television exposure. I do not know if any talents have been signed as of this writing.
Sonjay Dutt, who was in India last week with BG James to scout talent, will also be a major part of the project. The project had well over 100 potential Indian talents try out and of those, ten were selected and will be brought to the United States to train as pro wrestlers and be part of the new series. Obviously, James will not be involved as he has taken a position as a WWE Producer on a probationary basis.

The new series will air in India on The Colors Network (known here in the United States as Aapka Colors in the U.S), a Viacom-owned network that launched in 2008. Endemol, a major international television production and distribution company, is also involved with the project.

One would think the series would find its way to the United States and other markets as well in some fashion, but nothing is confirmed in that regard. Colors is, however, carried on a number of satellite systems, including the Dish Network.

So, there you have it. A brand new, internationally based TNA brand will launch before the end of 2011.

With Khali potentially on the way out, maybe they can get him in.

 

[Wheels]

With Khali potentially on the way out, maybe they can get him in.

I support this idea as long as he doesn't end up working any U.S. shows or tapings for TNA.

 

[Slushy]

Good to hear about Lagana, the guy knows to write good stories if allowed.

I don't know if Brock will be out from his UFC contract by this years Mania but if they pulled something like that off it would be incredible.

Supposedly, Lesnar's fight against Overeem is the last one on his contract so I do the outcome of that match will determine his future.

If he wins, no doubt he'll re-sign with UFC.

If he loses, hopefully he call it quits on MMA and come back home.

He's in a WWE videogame now and he's been more open to and positive about a WWE return unlike last year so my hope are justifiably high.

Any recommendations?

Bret Hart - My Life In The Cartoon World of Wrestling

Steve Austin - The Stone Cold Truth

Mick Foley - Have A Nice Day & Foley Is Good

Chris Jericho - A Lion's Tale & Undisputed

William Regal - Walking A Golden Mile

Eddie Guerrero - Cheating Death, Stealing Life

Roddy Piper - In The Pit With Piper

Edge - Adam Copeland On Edge

Batista - Batista Unleashed

The Hardy Boys - Exist 2 Inspire

Ric Flair - To Be The Man (good read when he's not dissing everybody)

Shawn Michaels - Heartbreak & Triumph (great book, but the chapter about Montreal was a joke)

Jerry Lawler - Its To Be The King...Sometimes

Brock Lesnar - Death Clutch

Rey Mysterio - Behind The Mask

Goldust - Cross Rhodes

Harley Race - King Of The Ring

Dusty Rhodes - Reflections of American Dream

Hulk Hogan - Hollywood Hulk Hogan (half good / half LOL as Hogan takes credit for everything except inventing the Internet)

 

[bullets]

I'm just curious what Wrestler Biography's have you guys read?

I've only read Foley's first two, the Rock's and Austin's. Any recommendations?

I've read almost all of them except for Ted Dibiase, Edge , and Hbk's. I think Foley's first two are his best but the others are enjoyable. Chris Jericho's are a must read. Although his second book delves more into Fozzy than you may care for. Bret Hart's is another must read.

 

[NDX]

Can a brother with a bro-stache be invited to this party?

God bless you, Booker T. God bless you.

 

[Lobo]

Good to hear about Lagana, the guy knows to write good stories if allowed.

Supposedly, Lesnar's fight against Overeem is the last one on his contract so I do the outcome of that match will determine his future.

If he wins, no doubt he'll re-sign with UFC.

If he loses, hopefully he call it quits on MMA and come back home.

He's in a WWE videogame now and he's been more open to and positive about a WWE return unlike last year so my hope are justifiably high.

Bret Hart - My Life In The Cartoon World of Wrestling

Steve Austin - The Stone Cold Truth

Mick Foley - Have A Nice Day & Foley Is Good

Chris Jericho - A Lion's Tale & Undisputed

William Regal - Walking A Golden Mile

Eddie Guerrero - Cheating Death, Stealing Life

Roddy Piper - In The Pit With Piper

Edge - Adam Copeland On Edge

Batista - Batista Unleashed

The Hardy Boys - Exist 2 Inspire

Ric Flair - To Be The Man (good read when he's not dissing everybody)

Shawn Michaels - Heartbreak & Triumph (great book, but the chapter about Montreal was a joke)

Jerry Lawler - Its To Be The King...Sometimes

Brock Lesnar - Death Clutch

Rey Mysterio - Behind The Mask

Goldust - Cross Rhodes

Harley Race - King Of The Ring

Dusty Rhodes - Reflections of American Dream

Hulk Hogan - Hollywood Hulk Hogan (half good / half LOL as Hogan takes credit for everything except inventing the Internet)

Thanks for the list. been reading reviews on these all day. Also read reviews for Lita's, Chyna's, Kurt's, Sting's, DDP's and Terry Funks.

I've read almost all of them except for Ted Dibiase, Edge , and Hbk's. I think Foley's first two are his best but the others are enjoyable. Chris Jericho's are a must read. Although his second book delves more into Fozzy than you may care for. Bret Hart's is another must read.

Jericho is high on my list and Amazon has them all for pretty cheap, but I think I'm going to start with Adam Copeland On Edge

 

[Slushy]

Ah yes, I knew I would forget some people trying to remember everybody. I highly suggest reading the books of Angle and Page. Good stuff.

Re: Hogan

I really hope that was kayfabe because burying your next potential world champion is the worst thing you can do for the company you're representing.

Roode gets a huge vote of...no confidence!

 

[Heretic]

Hogan had no business burying the guy who is likely about to become champion of the company he works for...

I do think that...of all the talent TNA has...James Storm is one of the guys who should be headlining. His gimmick seems to be just an amplified version of himself...and the catch phrase works. I think Matt Morgan should be pushed more. His catchphrases are funny to me and he has the size that can be pushed as an unstoppable threat (so, you can go ahead and fire Abyss, Rob Terry and Crimson). The Pope has a bit of a silly gimmick, but tweaked a bit I think it could work well. Those three in the main event mix with Anderson, Hardy and Angle isn't too bad of top tier...with Sting and RVD kind of in the mix as well I guess since they are legends. Sadly, I think that Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Chris Daniels and a few others are missed opportunities that likely won't be primed again,

 

[JabarR]

Whose watching Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors?

 

[Superark]

Credit to The Sun
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/3873411/Gail-Kim-Ill-never-go-back-to-WWE.html
FORMER WWE Diva Gail Kim has vowed that she will never return after enduring an unhappy second spell with the wrestling giant.

Kim asked for her release from the company on August 5 after being chronically under-utilised, but WWE refused to let her go, and instead made her sit out her contract, which concluded at the end of September.

Kim is now a free agent, and is understandably vehement that wherever her wrestling career from now on takes her, it will not be back to WWE.

In her first free-to-air interview anywhere since she left, she exclusively told

SunSport: "I've experienced WWE twice now, and I know that I do not enjoy that place.

"The second time I really had optimistic hopes and dreams, but I know I would never go back there."

Gail requested to be released from her contract backstage during the August 5 live edition of Raw. That night, she had participated in a Divas Battle Royal, in which she eliminated herself straight after the bell.

This would be her last appearance on WWE TV.

Gail said: "The night of the Battle Royal where I eliminated myself, it was ten minutes before Raw ended, and I pulled Johnny (Laurinaitis) aside. It was right after his first on-air segment, and I told him 'I just want to give you my notice. I'm quitting.'
"He was surprised and said 'You're putting this on me ten minutes before Raw ends?'

"There were words between us. Nothing bad – even though you might hear bad things about Johnny, I understand what his job is. I have never felt in any way afraid to talk to him about how I feel.

"So I just told him. I told him I felt held down and just ready to move on. I said 'I don't want your money; I just want to be free. Free to do whatever I want.'

"Johnny said 'I'll have to get clearance for you to quit, it shouldn't be a problem.' Of course it was a problem, and they didn't want me to work anywhere else, so I had to stay at home.

"In my opinion, my perception is that it is a control thing for them. They are very powerful and they like to control certain aspects of the company. That really upset me, and when I quit I said to Johnny 'Stop trying to control me. You guys never really cared about me before, so why do you care now whether I want to quit or not?'"

Her decision to unilaterally eject herself from the Battle Royal caused some ripples in the wrestling world, with some labelling Gail unprofessional, but others feeling the act of rebellion was justified.

"It was a very controversial thing," she said. "A lot of people said that they lost respect for me because I was unprofessional. But unless anyone walks in your shoes they do not what you feel.

"I can admit that maybe it was a childish thing to do. But I would not take it back. I was disrespected many times by the company, and when you get disrespected that many times there is only so much you can take.

"I'm not one to just lay there and take it – at least not now – and they didn't even notice.

"I was fed up that day. There were other circumstances within the company that pretty much made me make the decision that I was done with the company, on the personal side and the professional side.

"I feel that I've worked so hard to gain the respect of the fans and my co-workers. I was just not going to have the company do this to me anymore.

"By the time we got to the match our time was cut so bad they just said 'everybody get out of the ring as fast as you can before the break happens,' which was maybe a minute.

"They said get out of the ring as fast possible, so I did!

"I normally would not do anything like that, but I just got pushed to my limits and pushed the point where I was fighting back for the way I'd been treated."
"The other girls didn't notice. The agents and the office didn't notice. A few fans tweeted me and said 'Did you just do that?'"

Kim was part of the WWE roster from 2002 to 2004, before being released. She surfaced in TNA in 2005 and spent three years there, having a storied and critically acclaimed long storyline with Awesome Kong, who later join the WWE as 'Kharma'.
Despite her TNA success and her sense of belonging in the company, Kim felt compelled to return to WWE for financial reasons, and though she does not regret the decision, she soon realised that her optimism about WWE's creative direction for the Divas division was misplaced.

She said: "It was more the treatment of the women's division I was disappointed with in this last run.

"It's so frustrating to be working so hard and know that it's not going anywhere and it doesn't matter.

Honestly there were times when I felt like if we had a great match, say on Superstars if we had seven minutes and the chance to tell a story, I felt like maybe we'd get punished for having a good match.

"It's sad that when you have a great match you know it won't be rewarded."


Inevitably, now that she is once again a free agent, Gail is being linked with a return to TNA, where she had her finest run and undoubtedly would be welcomed back. She feels that it is likely – someday – but she is in no rush.

"Right now I'm on a little hiatus," she said, "I told myself I'd take a little break. They didn't let me quit so I was forced to take a break!

"I'm not retiring from wrestling, I can say that. I always said – I said it in my last interview with TNA on a Knockout's DVD – that I always felt like I would return there one day. I'd love to finish up my career there.

"I've always known of ROH and have worked with a lot of the workers there, but they've never reached out to me. It's just never happened. But I'm always open to everything.

"We'll just see."

Part Two of the highlights of the Gail Kim interview will be published on these pages next week. But if you can't wait, then you can listen to the full 43-minute chat on Rob McNichol's One Sided Ring Podcast, available via Podbean or iTunes.