TNA Women's Knockout Champion Mickie James was asked on her official website if she would ever return to WWE.

"This is a tough question that I often get asked and usually avoid answering. I can't say that I never will or would go back to the WWE." James said.

"I honestly never intended on leaving until I retired. However we don’t choose our destiny. We just live it. I am very happy at TNA and am enjoying my time here for as long as it lasts. I’ve had a lot of opportunities to grow inside and out as a performer, artist, and a woman. One really never knows what tomorrow holds. That's why you make the most of every moment. Good, bad, or indifferent, and own it like only you can."

She also gave her thoughts on the WWE Hall of Fame, writing: "To be inducted in to the Hall of Fame is a huge honor for any one person in this industry. It not only gives you credibility as the mark you made in the pages of history to the fans, but notoriety for the path you paved for everyone who followed in your footsteps."

Labels: mickie james, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments

Mick Foley recently spoke with Brian Fritz of BetweenTheRopes.com, which you can subscribe to on iTunes at this link. Here are some highlights and the audio below:

How he would sum up his time in TNA:

It was frustrating. It was enjoyable. It was great for my family. It was a great way of life for three years as far as being home and not having to entertain too many commitments. But it was a little frustrating.

On getting back with another promotion like WWE:

I'm looking forward to the prospect of doing something soon on television again. I have no idea when that might be but I think it will be in the next several months.

On whether or not he would like to do broadcast work again:

(laughs) You know what? I'm not ruling it out. I'm not ruling it out. Sometimes I think at the end of my run in TNA I wonder what would have happened if I had would have been just a little more willing to accept the job under the terms, under those unusual terms that WWE broadcasters have. And the truth is JR and I would be a pretty good team and I'd be really woven into that fabric of week to week television. And I doubt that being yelled at would even bother me any more. I might be willing to give it a try. You never know. Stranger things have happened.

Labels: mick foley, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

When asked about a possible WWE return, TNA’s Kurt Angle said “anything is possible” on his Facebook page today, however he said that he was currently loyal to TNA.

Angle had particularly kind words for TNA President Dixie Carter, thanking her for looking after his “well being.”

He he had the following to say:

“A lot of you want me back in WWE. I appreciate your kind words. I love TNA but anything is possible.”

“Dixie Carter has been wonderful to me. She cares about my well being. That means more to me than anything. So I would never count out WWE, but TNA is my loyalty right now.”

Labels: kurt angle, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:25 PM | Permalink | Comments

Mick Foley has taped an interview with Michael Landsberg for TSN’s Off the Record that will air on November 10th. In the interview, Foley says that he believes he’s suffered permanent brain damage from his time in professional wrestling.

Labels: mick foley, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE officials discussed Matt Hardy’s departure weeks before even granting him the release on October 14th. Some in the company wanted Hardy gone as soon as he asked for it but certain things slowed down that process. One of the main things was the feeling that releasing Matt would keep Jeff Hardy in TNA longer than his current deal calls for.

There was also a feeling that with Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign going on, they didn’t need a talent out there doing anything he could to get released. There was a bit of heat on Hardy for posting a video online of an unmasked Rey Mysterio in the background eating lunch.

People close to Hardy say that he is definitely headed to TNA and those in the company expect him to come in as well. There is already some negative attention on Hardy within the TNA locker room regarding all his odd videos that have been posted online.

There has already been talk within TNA of doing a Hardy Boys vs. Beer Money feud that would elevate Robert Roode and James Storm. Apparently Matt and Jeff are very aware of this possible feud also.

Labels: matt hardy, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:43 PM | Permalink | Comments

TNA Wrestling’s decision to turn Jeff Hardy heel was made approximately seven weeks ago. The creative department felt that it was adamant that the group Abyss had been referring to as “they” for the past several months include the TNA World Heavyweight Champion and it was determined that Hardy and Rob Van Dam were the prime options.

Labels: jeff hardy, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:44 AM | Permalink | Comments

Jeff Hardy won the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Title in the main event of tonight’s Bound For Glory. Hardy defeated Mr. Anderson and Kurt Angle to win the belt after turning heel with help from Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan.

Labels: eric bishoff, hulk hogan, jeff hardy, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated the Q&A section of his JRsBarBQ.com website.

Ross answered a question about why WWE would let him go when he's still the best in the world at what he does. Ross asid, "WWE simply wants to go in a different direction on air which is their call entirely. I don't agree with it but that opinion, too, is a non issue. Obviously, I feel that my work will compare favorably to anyone broadcasting pro wrestling today."

Whether he returns to WWE, goes to TNA or calls MMA or football, he is not short on opportunities. "Time will tell as to how every thing works out but I stress to all that I don't have to stay in pro wrestling to continue broadcasting. At the end of the day it's all about being happy and enjoying what I do for a living. I'm at the point in my life where that requirement is attainable.

Ross also spoke about TNA's decision to move iMPACT! back to Thursdays and what he thinks Vince McMahon would think of the situation. He said, "Obviously Monday mights were not going to work for TNA and let's hope that Thursday nights help them build their brand. I have no idea what Vince thinks or doesn't think about TNA nor do I plan on discussing it with him.

Labels: jim ross, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

There are conflicting reports coming in on Jeff Hardy’s status with TNA. Sources in the company are saying that Hardy has signed a contract with the company while friends of Hardy have said that he told them he has absolutely not signed a deal. The fact Hardy hasn’t appeared with TNA since January 4th would indicate that he hasn’t signed or committed to any dates.

It’s said that WWE still wants Hardy back eventually. Hardy was apparently upset at the recent segments on WWE’s SmackDown with CM Punk where Punk poked fun at him. One person close to Hardy said that one of the reasons he decided to appear on January 4th was just to prove a point to WWE. Word is that friends of Hardy are telling him that at the end of the day, Jeff in TNA is a bad move because he comes across as a much bigger star with WWE.

Labels: cm punk, jeff hardy, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments

Source: PWTorch.com Newsletter

Hulk Hogan was said to be very stressed backstage at iMPACT on Monday, and feels the company has organizational issues. TNA was still filming pre-tapes late in the day, and it was said to be a very chaotic atmosphere for Hulk compared to the treatment he was used to in WCW and WWE.

Hogan held a meeting with the TNA roster prior to the show, which was described as a basic pep talk meeting. Hulk told the wrestlers that he’s looking forward to getting to know them all. He told them his door is always open, and gave the impression that he and Bischoff are running the show, although Vince Russo is still handling his usual backstage duties.

Some backstage sources say Russo came across as withdrawn, and after the show was telling people he had no idea what the storyline direction will be going forward.

Labels: hulk hogan, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:03 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE sources were reportedly caught off guard by Jeff Hardy's appearance on iMPACT, as there was been a rumor floating around that Hardy had verbally agreed to return to WWE. Hardy's contract with TNA is believed to be a short-term deal.

Labels: jeff hardy, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:14 AM | Permalink | Comments

- Last night’s episode of the three-hour TNA iMPACT with Hulk Hogan scored a 1.5 cable rating. We don’t have anymore details on the rating right now but they will be available soon.

- Last night’s episode of WWE’s Monday Night RAW with the return of Bret Hart scored a 3.37 cable rating on the USA Network. Like the iMPACT rating, we do not have a breakdown of the numbers yet so stay tuned.

Labels: bret hart, RAW, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:10 AM | Permalink | Comments

On January 4th, 2009, TNA will air a 3-hour special that will air head-to-head with Monday Night RAW. TNA issued a press release for the big news about their special and highlighted the press release with the news that Sting will make his return that night.

Also advertised for the show are TNA champion A.J. Styles, Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, Samoa Joe, Bobby Lashley, and Matt Morgan. A press release issued over the weekend also teased several big surprises for the show. Sting’s last TNA television appearance was at October’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view. Since then, TNA has been teasing that Sting is considering retirement from the ring.

Right now, this is only a one-time experiment by TNA, but if the ratings were to surpass their normal numbers there is every possibility it would lead to going live every Monday night.

Labels: tna, WWE

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

A number of people from WWE watched Dixie Carter’s speech on iMPACT last week on YouTube, with many laughing at it. One person within WWE made the following statement to the Figure Four Newsletter regarding the TNA President’s speech:

“After investing the previous two hours of Impact on hyping how Hulk Hogan and TNA are ushering in this new era of euphoria with this huge game changer move and perhaps making their fan base feel like this is finally the place to be right here and right now, they kick off this week’s show with THAT video. A video that comes across totally out of context even if it’s not a ’shoot, brutha’, where a sea of sleepy, droopy-faced and indifferent talent sit in bleachers and are lectured to by a woman that has about 2% conviction in the speech she’s giving.

For the talent, it’s a big old ‘F*** you, it’s my way or the highway’. For the viewer it comes across as ‘Hey, you know that whole big Hulk Hogan hype we sold you on last week? Yeah, buyer beware – it’s not as cool or as euphorically kick ass as we kind of suggested it was last week.’ I don’t think it served any purpose other than to further amp up Dixie’s ego. It was like a bad public speaking class.”

Labels: tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments

Hulk Hogan recently appeared on the Bubba the Love Sponge radio show to discuss his role in TNA. Hogan stated that he was the new TNA booker. Hogan also talked about how he was going to be overseeing the company and “changing things around.” Hogan said that his contract does not have him wrestling for TNA and that he’s strictly been brough in to run the show.

When asked about Vince Russo, Hogan stated that he has the ability to fire Russo, but is giving him another chance. Lastly, he said TNA is spending big money, so TNA is trying to take their company to the next level.

Labels: bubba the lovesponge, hulk hogan, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments

"Hulkamania” is back! The biggest name in professional wrestling history, Hulk Hogan, is joining Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA), the fastest rising wrestling organization in the world and home to one of cable television’s highest rated shows for young men, TNA iMPACT! The announcement was made today by TNA Wrestling in conjunction with Spike TV at a press conference held in New York City.

“Hulk Hogan is one of the world’s top pop culture icons and the biggest superstar in the history of professional wrestling. We are truly excited to welcome him into the TNA family,” said Dixie Carter, President of TNA Wrestling. “Our goal is to become the world’s biggest professional wrestling company. Hulk defines professional wrestling and we look forward to partnering with him in a variety of ways as we continue to grow TNA globally.”

“I’m thrilled to be jumping back into the world of professional wrestling,” said Hogan. “My fans have been asking me to return to the business for many years on a full time basis, but the timing or the opportunity has never been right until now. TNA Wrestling is a great company with an already excellent fan base, business and broadcast partner. I firmly believe now is the time for some change at TNA as they are positioned to jump to the next level in their development and I’m here to work with Dixie to help make that a reality.”

Through Hogan’s partnership with Bischoff Hervey Entertainment Television, the deal with TNA was negotiated by longtime Hogan colleague Eric Bischoff. Additionally, BHE TV has inked a first-look deal with TNA and will be working with the organization to develop new programming extensions of the TNA brand.

“Hulk Hogan adds yet another level of star power that positions TNA iMPACT as Spike TV’s version of ‘Must-See TV’ on Thursday nights,” said Kevin Kay, president of Spike.

Hogan most recently penned an autobiography with Mark Dagostino, “My Life Outside The Ring” with St. Martin’s Press.

Labels: hulk hogan, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:02 PM | Permalink | Comments

Taz is in fact heading to TNA and is expected to begin working as Samoa Joe's advisor. Sources have confirmed that Taz does in fact have a non-compete clause with WWE, and once it expires he will be able to appear on camera. There’s no word on the length of his non-compete agreement, but he is clearly being teased for a TNA debut. ProWrestling.net reports that he will enter the company as an advisor or manager for Joe, and will likely make a transition to the broadcast booth as a color commentator at some point.

It remains to be seen where Don West fits into the long-term picture of the broadcast team. Multiple sources claim that Jeff Jarrett and Mike Tenay have spoken out against the idea of using a three-man broadcast team in the past. West may have more value as a backstage pitch man than a color commentator, but Jeff Jarrett has resisted past pushes from others within the company to shake up the broadcast team. More than one source has stated that while Dixie Carter likes West personally, she is not a fan of his performance as a color commentator. There also may be a chance that Jarrett and Tenay would change their tune regarding a three-man team if it meant keeping West onboard.

Labels: tazz, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments

TNA wrestler Sonjay Dutt, who is about to be let go from TNA, says that everyone on the TNA roster has a desire to be in WWE.

“Any professional wrestler - ask everybody in TNA no matter where you are - they’re going to want to be in WWE,” Dutt told World Band Media radio. “That’s the top; that’s the best. Every professional wrestler deep down in their heart wants to be in WWE.”

Dutt said the top stars however probably enjoy working for TNA more than WWE due to the easier schedule and generous pay. “WWE’s schedule is so insane and hectic, so for a guy like Sting who has put his time into the business, he doesn’t need to be on the road,” Dutt said. “TNA is a good option. It has a light schedule to make the kind of money they want to make.”

Sonjay’s contract with TNA expires at the end of the month. He’s headed to Japan this weekend for a tour with Zero-One, then he’s back on the indy circuit here in the U.S. There have been rumors that WWE is interested in Sonjay, which he obviously hopes are true. Dutt believes he could be a valuable asset to WWE for their upcoming tour of India and progressive international expansion in Southeast Asia.

Labels: sonjay dutt, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 4:51 PM | Permalink | Comments

From: PWPIX.Net

While WWE won’t be taking any disciplinary action against Hardy for his most recent incident, some "what if" conversations have sparked up within the company. Hardy is obviously a big draw for WWE who also moves a fair amount of merchandise, and would be much more valuable to competition this time around if they were to let him go.

One source says that WWE will be reluctant to call Hardy’s "third strike", as they are very aware of the potential business TNA could do with him after his major push on RAW.

The recent airport incident, where Hardy was allegedly intoxicated in public, was said to be a wakeup call for WWE management and he likely won’t be getting the same star treatment he was before.

Labels: jeff hardy, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross updated the Q&A section of JRsbarbq.com. The following items are among the highlights.

– Ross on the Championship Scramble concept: “New concepts are usually feast or famine. The first ones are never as good as subsequent ones. Some folks liked the Scramble and some didn’t. I liked elements of them but they did get chaotic at times. The best part to me was that the Scrambles provided needed opportunities to multiple, deserving talents. Tazz and I need to have more fun and we will but I was proud of the job the ECW guys did on the broadcast.”

– Ross on TNA reportedly signing Nathan Jones: “I was surprised to hear of Nathan signing with TNA. I am not sure where Nathan’s heart is as it relates to the wrestling biz. Without question Nathan has the personality and look to be a star but can he wrestle?”

– Ross on whether he’s ever considered joining TNA: “Never have given it any serious thought in all due respect. Mike Tenay does an awesome job on play by play and Jim Cornette is potentially an outstanding color analyst. I do hope TNA continues to grow their business nonetheless. Broadcasting wise I have one ‘dream job’ that I would consider adding to me plate and it has nothing to do with wrestling.”

Labels: jim ross, nathan jones, tna

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments