TNA News

[Head Booker]

- According to PWInsider.com, there is a rumor (and clearly just a rumor at this point) regarding Dixie Carter's big surprise for TNA. The speculation now is that TNA would be dropping their PPVs in favor of monthly live specials on Spike TV. Once again, this is only a rumor and has NOT been confirmed.

- Tommy Dreamer is booked to appear on television for both Impact tapings this week. If he hasn't signed a contract yet, it appears that he will do so in the near future.

[Head Booker]

- According to ProWrestling.net Ed Ferrara has joined Vince Russo in leaving the TNA creative team. Ferrara was rehired by TNA in September of 2009, but never appeared to have any serious “impact”, and was generally forgotten.

- Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff were not at the latest set of TNA Impact tapings. Hulk was out having his back surgery and Bischoff is having a July break.

[Head Booker]

During an appearance on the "Busted Open" radio show on Friday with hosts Dave LaGreca and Doug Mortman, TNA star Kurt Angle joined the program to discuss the possibility of retirement from wrestling and having one more year remaining on his contract with TNA.

"I gotta reevaluate. I'm pretty banged up. I've put a lot of effort into TNA as well. When I got there, they really weren't wrestling that much. Right when I got there, it was seemed like they chose... 'Kurt Angle got there, okay, we'll start having more shows.' My schedule became pretty heavy pretty quickly, but the last year or so they kind of backed off a little bit and knew they need to take care of me if they want me in a little bit longer. Physically, I'm fine. The problem is I'm 41 years-old now. It's lot harder for me to recuperate. I'd say the last year-and-a-half have been the most difficult on me... I'm finding out that my body is not recuperating as fast as it used to. I was able to jump up out of bed and go and work out right away for the last 39 years, and then the last year-and-a-half has been a struggle... That's what TNA has done for me."

[Head Booker]

Credit: F4WOnline.com

Former WCW star “Taskmaster” Kevin Sullivan reportedly met recently with TNA President Dixie Carter about joining the company’s creative team. During that meeting, Sullivan presented an angle that involves a year-long main event storyline that would require them signing a top star who the company would likely have difficulty getting.

We can also confirm that TNA did, in fact, quietly part ways with writer Ed Ferrara a few weeks ago. Ferrara left a teaching position and was brought into the company several months ago around the time that Jim Cornette not-so-quietly parted ways with them, in large part due to that hiring. Of course, Ferrara also served as Vince Russo’s right-hand man for the World Wrestling Federation during the Attitude Era.


--Credit: F4WOnline.com

Kurt Angle was banged up over the weekend at the TNA live event in Brooklyn, New York. The next night in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Angle didn’t wrestle but did cut a promo and sign autographs for fans. Angle did an interview on a NY radio station saying that next year may be his final year as an active wrestler.

Angle put over Desmond Wolfe but said TNA cut the legs off his push. Angle also said that at one point he asked for his release from TNA because he didn’t want to be in the same company as Jeff Jarrett, but now they are good friends.


--Credit: F4WOnline.com

TNA is still actively trying to get Paul Heyman to join the company and debut at the Victory Road PPV. According to Dave Meltzer, TNA wants him to lead the ECW group but Heyman doesn't have any interest in playing a television character.

Heyman has noted that TNA gave Jim Ross a "low-ball" number and he (Heyman) would only consider going to TNA if they gave him a Dana White-type deal where he would basically manage the company. Heyman has made it clear that he feels TNA needs to revamp their product marketing.

At this point, Heyman said he's not going to be at Victory Road.




--Credit: F4WOnline.com

Due to poor ticket sales, TNA’s Victory Road VIP party has been discounted from $299 to $99. There were reports last weekend that the company had sold less than a dozen VIP packages. Yes, less than 12. The few fans who did purchase the packages at $299 are being refunded $200.

[Head Booker]

take this news bit with a grain of salt:

Tommy Dreamer is now apart of the creative team. Dreamer met Dixie months before joining TNA. Many have spoken of Heyman to TNA. That still is a very strong possibility at the moment. Thing is, if Heyman comes, Dreamer will still book. Heyman wants to spend his time in marketing. Dreamer has become Dixie's right hand man. Dreamer's the reason we see no Rob Terry, Orlando Jordan, and Rosie Lottalove on Impact. Dreamer said the only way he'll join TNA is if he was apart of creative. Dixie was very impressed with him. Bubba Ray also helps out in creative.

Dreamer wants to cut and add certain wrestlers. Most the guys he booked in WWE developmental, and ECW are excited about his new role. Dreamer's made it known he wants Daniels back in TNA. He also asked Hogan, and Sting to take an Undertaker type schedule. Dreamer is very well liked around the industry. He created atmosphere backstage where talent can make suggestions. Unlike Russo who hated talent bringing him different ideas. Dreamer isn't a fan of Anderson being a face at all. Dreamer also wants the X Division to have a more international feel about it.

Dreamer has singled out AAA stars Aerostar, Jack Evans, Extreme Tiger, and the Apache Sisters. He also wants Sarah Stock do her Dark Angel gimmick. Dreamer's a big fan of Alissa Flash(Cheerleader Mellisa) and wants to revamp the KO division. He has setup another tryout match for Ken Doane. He knows Doane very well from OVW and WWE. Dreamer put in good words for Jimmy Yang, Carlito, Mike Knox, and several indy stars. Dreamer is also taking suggestions from Raven.

Dreamer has convinced TNA to hold off on signing guys not ready. The idea is to try and create new stars by elevating personal feuds. The feeling he has TNA needs to give fans a reason to cheer for talent or hate them. Just recently he told Amazing Red to use his old ring gear again. Dreamer told Red his old gear was a better way to market his image. The shirtless look made him look plain in the eyes of most viewers. Red went back to his old gear on the house shows this past weekend. Dreamer wants to make Red a big star.

TNA will see the return of a few NJPW stars. Creative plans on trying to make the Guns, Red, Wolfe, and Pope bigger stars in the eyes of viewers. Many may look over the fact that Dreamer booked ECW. He also was a big part of OVW when Heyman booked. Dreamer from all accounts know what he's doing. The guys who he wants to see excel most is Joe and Abyss. He want to make sure those two become the standard bearers of TNA new direction. So in the coming weeks look for a more edgy in your face show. No matter who TNA hires rather it be Sullivan or Heyman, Dreamer will still have alot of say in the booking.

[Rob]

He cut Jordan and Terry? Why?

On a sort of related note, Cheerleader Melissa invented the air raid crash. Great move

[Head Booker]

if this is true I'm thinkin' more than likely Jordan will be back repackaged...I really feel that they were on to somethin' with Jordan in his present gimmick...though Terry wasn't that strong on the mic he definitely had a very strong physical appearance...I could actually imagine him in Fortune...

Tate

[Vernon Vanderbilt]

Very disappointing. A major lack of testicular fortitude if you ask me.

[Head Booker]

Regarding Paul Heyman and TNA, here's what we know. In Orlando, a lot of the TNA talent is of the belief that Heyman is coming in, although many have been of that belief for weeks or months. There have been talks with Heyman for months now, and he was the surprise that fell through last month and is the surprise that unless something happens at the last minute, will fall through again tonight. TNA wanted him badly on tonight's show to start the ECW invasion angle. Heyman was in New York as of last word and had not agreed to any deal as of a few hours ago. As of last word, there were a lot of very major issues that would need to be worked out and it would be hard to believe they could be in a few hours. The company is under very major pressure to make moves to turn things around which is why they are pushing for this deal.

- Wrestling Observer

[Head Booker]

I reported the following earlier today in the PWInsider.com Elite section: As I discussed on my Victory Road PPV Post-Game show last night, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff were not at the PPV. The word on Hogan not being there was that he was still recovering from the back surgery he underwent last week. Bischoff claimed publicly he had taken the time off, although the word making the rounds in some circles backstage last night was that he purposely "stayed home to make a point to Dixie Carter" in regard to potential plans to bring Paul HeymanPosted Image in. There are some who believe Hogan may be using the back surgery to distance himself from TNA if and when Heyman comes in as well. I don't believe they are contracted past the end of the year. Neither are at Impact today.

This brings us to Heyman and TNA. I have absolutely had sources tell me in the last 24 hours that Heyman will be coming in full force and overseeing a complete makeover of the company roster and TNA's front office. However, all sides are still claiming that nothing has been put to paper. I do believe they are MUCH closer to a deal than they are letting on. It could even be they have agreed and are keeping it extremely quiet as well, although sources swear that is not the case. I will say this: Heyman knows how to market and present himself better than anyone, so my personal belief is he's waiting until he has exactly what he believes he needs/wants before agreeing to come in - or he's waiting to see if he gets a big offer from somewhere else - in order to get the best deal for himself. Time will tell.

Mick Foley is scheduled to return at this week's Impact tapings.

That's from Mike Johnson at PWInsider.com.

~~

According to ProWrestling.net, hardcore legend Mick Foley is at the TNA Impact tapings in Orlando, Florida

-ProWrestling.net is reporting that a talent meeting was held this afternoon in Orlando prior to taping this week's edition of Impact.

The report confirms that TNA President Dixie Carter addressed the talent roster and stressed that the wrestlers need to tighten up their in-ring work. She said the wrestlers are essentially spoiled because they benefit from a taped show that can be edited.

-Credit: F4WOnline.com

The reason TNA has been going with the idea of doing an ECW faction is due to the fact that a focal group determined that fans were favorable towards ECW, and had fond memories of the promotion. According to Dave Meltzer, an interesting note is that the focal group surveyed fans in Philadelphia, PA of all places.

~~

TNA Roster 'Fuming' Mad at President Dixie Carter
Posted by: Wrestling-Radio.com

A report by Jason Powell of ProWrestling.Net has revealed that TNA roster members were 'fuming' mad at TNA President Dixie Carter last night during a Pre-PPV meeting.

She informed all talent that they must "tighten up" up their work in the ring and essentially said they were "spoiled" by having the luxury of a taped weekly broadcast which could be edited (iMPACT!). Powell reports this is not the first time Carter has told talent to tighten up and is often met with a very mixed reaction.

Powell also reports Heyman was not brought up to the talent during the meeting.

[Head Booker]

7/22 Impact and PPV spoiler

SPOILER: Click to show

*TNA President Dixie Carter came out to address what happened last week with Tommy Dreamer. She notes that she had invited the former ECW stars to TNA. Dreamer put over ECW legends like Taz and others. He said that "One Night Stand" inn 2005 was closure for him but Vince McMahon had to go and bring it back and forced Tommy to watch his close friends and family get fired one by one until Dreamer couldn't take it anymore. He said that his friends have been begging him for two years to come to TNA but he has two daughters now and couldn't pass up the big paycheck he was getting. When he came to Slammiversary and met with the talent before the show and felt the spirit of the fans, he knew this was the place to be. Dreamer was crying during the promo.Dreamer said that several years ago, they were promised things that didn't come true and it wasn't fair to the wrestlers or the fans. He asked Carter to give everyone "one last night." Carter agreed, but only if the former ECW crew have "full control" of the PPV. Dreamer promised they were going to take the Impact Zone "to the Extreme" and do it so everyone can remember the original company one last time, not the way it was when Vince McMahon shut it down. Abyss interrupts and says "they are not happy. This wasn't supposed to happen and they are downright pissed." Abyss says it was Dixie's fault and he goes after her but Van Dam attacked him. Everyone hits their finisher on Abyss. Devon comes out and they do the "Get the Tables" and RVD hits the Five Star Frog Splash.

~~

Credit: F4WOnline.com

An interesting (and sad) note about the interest level in TNA PPV events is that, in addition to a small amount of people buying the PPVs, there are very few people that are watching the PPVs on an illegal stream compared to WWE events.

Most WWE shows will have 30 to 50 streams with about 1,000 people connected to each stream. According to Dave Meltzer, TNA Victory Road only had 5 streams with around 1,500 total viewers. WWE usually has around 60,000 viewers total and UFC has around 200,000.


Credit: F4WOnline.com

According to Dave Meltzer, the main reason for Ed Ferrara being fired from the TNA creative team was for financial reasons. Ferrara was hired with a good salary, but when TNA started their budget cutbacks, the creative team was one of the areas hit. Ferrara was doing a lot of the work to make things easier for Vince Russo such as writing of the show and putting together pre-taped segments.

Russo is currently writing everything for the shows, although Tommy Dreamer has been put in charge of the ECW invasion storyline.

[Sean Locke]

Actually Rob, Mariko Yoshida innovated the Air Raid Crash. (I wiki'd her name since i've heard the name Cheerleader Melissa before.)

[Rob]

Are you sure? She looks like the one who came up with the moonsault double foot stomp. Though I do get my shit mixed up sometimes.