Total Nonstop Action wrestling thread

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

I don't think they're just whistling Dixie this time.

http://www.multichannel.com/news/networks/spike-tv-drops-tna-wrestling-series/382820

Spike TV Drops TNA Wrestling Series
Pro Wrestling Outfit Seeking Other Deals
7/29/2014 12:30 PM Eastern
By: R. Thomas Umstead

Spike TV will not renew its long-running carriage deal with TNA Wrestling, sources close to the companies said, confirming a TMZ report.



TNA, which has aired its Impact Wrestling series exclusively on Spike for the past nine years, is actively talking to other as yet defined distributors about carrying the series, according to sources. Impact Wrestling, a competitor to the various WWE wrestling shows on several networks, has pinned down strong ratings for Spike, averaging more than 1.2 million viewers in the past month alone. TNA officials did not comment on the situation.



Spike, which has carried TNA’s weekly series Impact Wrestling series since 2005, will go in a different direction on Thursday nights. Spike officials would not comment on the matter.

 

[Will E Worm]

Dixie Carter: ‘TNA & SpikeTV Negotiations Still Ongoing’

UPDATE: According to sources, when asked for a comment on the story, a Viacom (the parent company of SpikeTV) representative stated the following…

“Per Viacom company policy – we don’t comment on ongoing negotiations.”

ORIGINAL: Following the news that Spike TV is not renewing TNA’s TV deal in October, Dixie Carter and TNA’s Bob Ryder posted the following on Twitter today…

Dixie Carter @TNADixie

Negotiations with @SpikeTV are ongoing. Stay tuned and be sure to tune in this Thursday night for Ultimate X on #ImpactOnSpike!!

Bob Ryder @brydertna
Reports are not true. Negotiations with @SpikeTV are ongoing.

Article

 

[Andrew30]

http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/spikeimpact-wrestling-thoughtsjrs-spin

 

[Will E Worm]

http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/spikeimpact-wrestling-thoughtsjrs-spin

Why would Spike want to get rid of one of the few shows on their network that garners over 1M viewers per week in prime time?

Either this is a work for news coverage, or Spike is stupid and trying to low ball TNA.

There are other stations TNA could go to.

 

[tvstrip]

Extremely ironic that the biggest loser if TNA gets dropped will actually be WWE. It devalues wrestling in the eyes of networks, which will hurt WWE's position when they negotiate TV deals. Remember they got a lot less than expected from their USA networks deal, which threw their investors for a loop.

Of course us fans will lose out as well, since giving VKM an actual monopoly just can't end well for anyone.

 

[Will E Worm]

TNA Signs New Talent – Will Debut Next Week On iMPACT!

TNA announced today that they have signed Chris Melendez to a multi-year agreement. Melendez is a former Army Sergeant who joined the military at the age of 17 following the events of September 11th, served in Afghaanistan and returned home as a single-leg amputee after injuries suffered from an IED with twenty-three days left of his deployment. He was awarded the Purple Heat

Melendez began training with Team 3D Academy in 2012 and will debut for the company during next week’s Impact tapings in New York City.

Here is the official announcement from ImpactWrestling.com:

TNA Wrestling is happy to announce the signing of a true American hero! Chris Melendez is a former Army Sergeant, who served his country in Afghanistan and was awarded a Purple Heart. Because of injuries suffered in combat, the brave soldier returned home a single leg amputee. Melendez, a member of the Wounded Warrior Project, had another dream to realize when he returned home. He dreamed of becoming a pro wrestler.

Chris’ remarkable story begins as a kid growing up in Spanish Harlem. His grandmother introduced him to professional wrestling at a young age and, ever since, he has been hooked.

“The ability to captivate an audience without having to say any words is what got me hooked.”

Inspired by his father, a Vietnam Vet, and compelled by the events of September 11, Chris joined the U.S. Army at the young age of 17. At age 19, and with only 23 days of his Iraq deployment remaining, he sustained horrifying life-threatening injuries from an IED.

“When I was able to open my eyes after the explosion I looked across the battlefield to see what I thought was a fellow-soldier in need of help. I quickly realized it was my leg.”

After being resuscitated three times and enduring numerous emergency surgeries and procedures, Melendez’s long road of recovery took him to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Through pure grit and determination, cutting edge science and technology delivered via the VA, and support from friends, family and The Wounded Warrior Project, Melendez was walking with a prosthetic within 40 days.

In 2012, Melendez entered Team 3D Academy of Professional Wrestling in Florida where he trained day-in and day-out under the tutelage of Bully Ray and Devon. Now, TNA Wrestling can announce the signing of Chris Melendez to a multi-year contract.

Still known in the locker room as “Sarge”, Melendez is set to make his debut for the company during the August 5-7 tapings at New York City’s legendary Manhattan Center.

Article


TNA Article

 

[tvstrip]

... because the best thing for a struggling company about to be dropped by their network is to sign an untested new talent to a multi-year deal? A good backstory doesn't guarantee long term success. Does anyone remember Zack Gowen?

 

[Will E Worm]

... because the best thing for a struggling company about to be dropped by their network is to sign an untested new talent to a multi-year deal? A good backstory doesn't guarantee long term success. Does anyone remember Zack Gowen?

TNA has just signed Zema Ion and many others.

The news you're talking about is a rumor or outright lie.

 

[Will E Worm]

TNA Wrestling and DJ Z Announce New Multi-Year Deal

Just announced by Executive Vice President John Gaburick, TNA Wrestling is happy to announce the re-signing of DJ Z! The former X-Division Champion and incredible talent, both in and outside of the ring, signed a new multi-year deal effective immediately!

On Monday, August 4th, catch DJ Z as the special guest DJ on Sirius XM’s popular “Sway In The Morning” show on Shade 45!

Tonight, watch as DJ Z competes in a 3-way match against Manik and Low Ki during Destination X! The broadcast begins at 9/8c on Spike TV!

Article

 

[tvstrip]

TNA has just signed Zema Ion and many others.

The news you're talking about is a rumor or outright lie.

Um... the news I'm talking about is the news that you yourself posted here, i.e. Melendez. Wasn't the Gowen reference specific enough?

 

[Will E Worm]

Um... the news I'm talking about is the news that you yourself posted here, i.e. Melendez. Wasn't the Gowen reference specific enough?

I think TNA is fine.

There are more wrestlers on their way.

 

[Will E Worm]

TNA Teases A New Talent Debuting


TNA posted the following video, which aired on iMPACT! last night and was a teaser for a new talent. My guess is Jessicka Havok but we’ll see.

Article

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

That Lashley/Aries match last night was good.

 

[tvstrip]

I think TNA is fine.

There are more wrestlers on their way.

And again, you have to question the business acumen of TNA when they go on a hiring spree just as they are about to be dropped by their broadcaster, which is apparently by this October. You'll never be more than an Indy fed if you don't have a solid TV deal. Even ROH has a solid TV outlet.

The hiring seems like a Hail Mary, which is fine, IF they were choosing wisely. But please feel free to explain to me how hiring a new, untested rookie to a multi-year deal makes any sense.

 

[Will E Worm]

That Lashley/Aries match last night was good.

I usually watch wrestling on Sunday. (DVR)

And again, you have to question the business acumen of TNA when they go on a hiring spree just as they are about to be dropped by their broadcaster, which is apparently by this October. You'll never be more than an Indy fed if you don't have a solid TV deal. Even ROH has a solid TV outlet.

The hiring seems like a Hail Mary, which is fine, IF they were choosing wisely. But please feel free to explain to me how hiring a new, untested rookie to a multi-year deal makes any sense.

I think this is a work. If not, TNA will find a new and better station.

Ring of Honor needs a two hour show. TNA needs two shows a week.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

I usually watch wrestling on Sunday. (DVR)

OK. I won't spoil things. Enjoy the match and the show. I really hope TNA survives somehow. There needs to be a good alternative to WWE other than indy feds. Looking forward to see what Jeff Jarrett does.

Here's ROH TV listings. No Los Angeles broadcast yet. If they show it here I will watch. http://www.rohwrestling.com/tv/listings

 

[Will E Worm]

OK. I won't spoil things. Enjoy the match and the show. I really hope TNA survives somehow. There needs to be a good alternative to WWE other than indy feds. Looking forward to see what Jeff Jarrett does.

Here's ROH TV listings. No Los Angeles broadcast yet. If they show it here I will watch. http://www.rohwrestling.com/tv/listings

I believe Aries lost. Should be a decent match any way.

You can watch Ring of Honor on their site.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

I believe Aries lost. Should be a decent match any way.

You can watch Ring of Honor on their site.

Thanks Will. I just saw it on the site. I'll watch it there. Always happy to have more wrestling to watch.

Regardless of knowing the outcome you will like the Lashley/Aries match.

Wonder what they do with MVP. His injury was obviously unexpected. Lashley has done a good job adapting.

 

[Will E Worm]

Mr. Anderson Says Future Is Bright For TNA Wrestling

Sometimes in order to move two steps forward, you have to take a step back. And that’s exactly what TNA Wrestling has done in recent weeks.

The main competitor to WWE has turned back the clock and not only resurrected the famed six-sided ring that put them on the map, but also a grittier, edgier persona that catapulted pro wrestling to historical heights in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Among those hitting the reset button is Mr. Anderson (formerly Mr. Kennedy in WWE), who says he was at first skeptical of the unique wrestling ring.

Although he has been wrestling for more than a decade, it wasn’t until TNA dusted it off earlier this month that he had ever worked with six sets of ropes. According to Anderson, the wrestlers had little choice in the company’s decision bring it back.

“I believe my first day in the company was the first day they had the four-sided ring back,” he said. “I thought at the time I had really dodged a bullet because I wasn’t excited about wrestling in a six-sided ring.”

But as it turns out, there was no bullet to dodge. He’s enjoying the experience because there is more room to work than a traditional wrestling ring. His only knocks on the ring are the challenges it presents during tag matches and the fact that cables are used rather than actual ropes.

Anderson had the opportunity to work with Sting until the surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer left the company earlier this year. He said Sting didn’t make any mention of jumping to WWE when he decided to leave TNA after a decade-long run that was sporadic at times.

In fact, Anderson believes it’s a wonderful thing that there is competition in the wrestling business and there are multiple promotions for workers to choose from.

“I have no hard feelings toward Sting or anybody else who attempts to make a living in this business,” he said.

TNA’s current TV contract is reportedly expiring in the coming months leaving a great deal of uncertainty as to whether there would be an elite alternative to WWE any longer.

However, Anderson believes the future is bright for TNA.

“Honestly I think the sky is the limit. I think that we have the greatest wrestlers in the world working for this company,” he said. “I know that I’m probably biased, but I tend to be able to step back and look objectively.”

His optimism stems from the fact the wrestlers now have an open canvas to push the envelope and take the show in new directions. And unlike the ring, the company is asking for suggestions from talents.

Wrestlers have been given the green light to pitch new story lines and ideas to the writers, which is something Anderson is excited about. He says he has a number of ideas he’s ready to run by the creative team.

Outside of the ring, Anderson has joined a growing number of wrestlers (past and present) to host a podcast. What sets his show apart, however, is that he doesn’t talk about wrestling.

Instead, Push The Button is reserved for intelligent discussions about politics and philosophical debates. A recent episode featured a lively debate on Creationism vs. Evolution.

I had the opportunity to speak with Anderson ahead of the company’s next round of television tapings at New York’s Manhattan Center on August 5-7.

Article

Here’s what we touched on:

• Whether wrestlers a say in the return of the six-sided ring
• How Stone Cold Steve Austin made him change his mind enlisting full-time in the Army and becoming a wrestler
• Whether Sting told TNA he was WWE-bound when he left
• Whether it’s time to move on from the Monday Night Wars and Attitude Era
• What makes New York the best place to reboot TNA Wrestling
• Why wrestlers gravitate to politics

Below are some highlights:

Wrestlers having a say on six-sided ring


“As far as I know (wrestlers) didn’t have any. As far as I know that was strictly an organizational thing. You know, the higher ups in the company going off of the fans vote on it. I believe that was completely out of our hands. I had no say in it as far as I know.”


Whether the Attitude Era is now holding wrestling back:

“I sort of think that if fans are holding on to ECW and that era and things from the past, I sort of think that means we’re not giving them what they want to see… I think the best way to go about that is to keep trying new things until something works. And that’s what we do. That’s what our writers do. They’re continuously coming up with new ideas.”
Whether Sting told TNA he was going to WWE
“No, he didn’t make any mention. This is the nature of our business. The wrestling business… people come and people go. It’s sort of been that way forever.”
The full interview can be heard at the top of the page.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

I'm watching ROH TV now. Nice Red Dragon tag match to start. They just had a commercial where the Briscoes put over some lawyers.

What the heck kinda lawyers would use Jay and Mark to vouch for them?