Styles

Wrestling naked would be different too, it doesn't make it a good idea. Someday this is going to be one huge, hilarious chapter in a wrestlecrap book. Right next to the Rob Feinstein chapter right?

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH "THE MASTER OF THE SPINEBUSTER" DAVID YOUNG So many great things are happening for everyone at TNA right now as we celebrate our two-year anniversary in June. One of the TNA superstars who has been with the promotion since the beginning is David Young. Always upbeat and a true class-act in the TNA locker room, David Young recently sat down with new TNAwrestling.com correspondent referee Andrew Thomas for an exclusive interview about his career, TNA and advice to newcomers in the wrestling business. AT: First off, how did you get started in the wrestling business? DY: I've watched wrestling all my life. I can remember when I was five years old, sitting in front of my television, when I told my mom and dad I wanted to be a wrestler when I grew up. My first match was August 17, 1989, and I was 17 years old. I kind of got in by accident. I went to a wrestling show and a friend of mine was doing security and he had me help - and I never left the business. I started training the very next day. AT: Who were some of the wrestlers you watched when you were growing up? DY: Dusty Rhodes was one of my heroes. Arn Anderson was a big influence on me. Ricky Morton was like a god to me. I thought the Rock N' Roll Express were the greatest thing since sliced bread, and to this day I love tag team wrestling. I just think, as a wrestler, those are my favorite kind of matches. AT: I know at one point you were the Tag Team Champion for the NWA Wildside promotion in Georgia, and you got to face the Rock N' Roll Express in the ring. What was it like to wrestle one of your heroes? DY: I had actually tagged with Ricky Morton a few times before that, but I never had wrestled them. I remember that match against the Rock N' Roll Express like it was yesterday. It was two out of three falls, and I pinned Ricky Morton on the third fall. It was probably one of the biggest nights of my career. AT: I know you live in Georgia now. Are you originally from there? DY: No, I'm actually from a little town outside Knoxville, Tennessee. AT: Is that where you started wrestling? DY: No, it was actually in a little town in Georgia called Dalton for a little independent group, the MWF (Mountain Wrestling Federation). That's where I got my start, from a guy named Larry Santo who took me under his wing. He taught me the in's and out's of the business and how to survive on the road which is probably one of the most important things in this business. AT: So you started in 1989, and that makes you a 15 year veteran. A lot of guys in TNA haven't been around that long, but I'm sure they've learned a lot traveling with you. DY: I worked with AJ Styles a lot when he first started. I think there was a year straight we wrestled each other constantly on the road. Elix Skipper is another guy I've traveled a lot with, although I haven't wrestled him that much. I remember one time in Alabama, Elix was coming out of a bathroom and I had pulled my truck right up to the door of the bathroom. As he was coming out I hit my horn and scared him half to death. AT: From personal experience, I know you're definitely a prankster in the locker room. DY: Well I've always felt you need to have fun no matter what you do. If you can't have fun then what's the point? That's what I love about this business. Being in the locker room is just as fun to me as being out in the ring. Especially in the wrestling business, every locker room is a tight-knit group. Even when something bad happens to somebody you don't necessarily like, it still bothers you. That's a good thing about being in the wrestling business...if something happens there's always someone there to help you. We keep each other sane on the road because we spend so many hours on it. I've probably been home three days in the last three weeks. It's really hard to keep that schedule and not go stir-crazy while you're driving around. AT: So TNA is going into a new era with Impact. What have been your thoughts on everything that's happened in the weeks building up to it? DY: I'm really happy to be on Impact, because I was one of the wrestlers on the first TNA Pay-Per-View in 2002. There's not a lot of the original guys left that were here that early on. To see this company grow and the way they took baby steps and did things the right way and to see things come together for Impact - it's an honor to be involved with this company and where it's going. I hope it goes all the way to the top and I hope I'm right there with it. AT: Last thing - do you have any advice for someone who might want to become a professional wrestler like you? DY: Stay in good shape, and don't stay in one spot. A lot of wrestlers stay in one little independent group and they think they owe a lot to that promoter - and I can see that to a certain extent - but there's nothing wrong with bettering yourself and breaking out and going to new places. Because I can promise you that a TNA talent scout is not sitting in the front row of that indy group. You have to get your name out there - that's a big key to succeeding in this business. It took me a while to figure that out, too. I think that's the most important thing I could tell anyone trying to get into this business. AT: Thanks David!

Germany declared war on US, and had taken over nearly the entire European continent, and were allies with the Japanese. Moral arguments aside, I think it would have been a little tough to just ignore them...

Doesn't have the "shining city on the hill" line, which was the one I always liked. Goes to find more! • The taxpayer - that's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take a civil-service exam. • Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. • Millions of individuals making their own decisions in the marketplace will always allocate resources better than any centralized government planning process. • How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin. • If I could paraphrase a well-known statement by Will Rogers that he never met a man he didn't like - I'm afraid we have some people around here who never met a tax they didn't like. • We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them -- this morning, as they prepared for their journey, and waved good-bye, and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God. (Speech about the Challenger disaster). • Republicans believe every day is 4th of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15. • The years ahead will be great ones for our country, for the cause of freedom and the spread of civilization. The West will not contain Communism, it will transcend Communism. We will not bother to denounce it, we'll dismiss it as a sad, bizarre chapter in human history whose last pages are even now being written. • The best social program is a productive job for anyone who's willing to work. • The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." • With our eyes fixed on the future, but recognizing the realities of today. ... we will achieve our destiny to be as a shining city on a hill for all mankind to see. • Thomas Jefferson once said, 'We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that I stopped worrying. • These young Americans sent a message to terrorists everywhere ... "You can run but you can't hide. (On US pilots who captured four terrorists) • The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas-a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated. • The Soviet Union would remain a one-party nation even if an opposition party were permitted-because everyone would join that party. • No arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. • I favor the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and it must be enforced at gunpoint if necessary. • The little dictator who went to Moscow in his green fatigues to receive a bear hug did not forsake the doctrine of Lenin when he returned to the West and appeared in a two-piece suit. • The distance between the present system and our proposal is like comparing the distance between a Model T and the space shuttle. And I should know; I've seen both. • I have only one thing to say to the tax increasers. Go ahead-make my day. • Some of your countrymen were unable to distinguish between their native dislike for war and the stainless patriotism of those who suffered its scars. But there has been a rethinking [and] now we can say to you, and say as a nation, thank you for your courage. • The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them away. • While I take inspiration from the past, like most Americans, I live for the future.

They could always repackage Sgt. Slaughter and debut him as a long lost relative of Stalin, and then.... ...well then he would team reluctantly with a returning Mr. America, brother, and after defeating Susuzki and Wright in tag matches, would turn heel on Mr. America and the 2 would have a year long feud where the 2 didn't touch until the PPV where Seargent Stalin forfeits to Mr. America...or something.

Alex Wright hired to be Kenzo Susuki's partner and introduced as "Adolph Hitler", before WWE get's the message... Or did someone make that joke already?

/sarcasm Gee, I wonder if this will be edited off the DVD if one is released for the tour? /sarcam

Wait, they're not?

What a fucking moron. Even if he was told to do it, he is for going along with it. Earth to Bradshaw: There's a REAL WORLD out there beyond wrestling, and what might seem funny to you is dreadfully serious to the rest of the world. Meltzer: Shocked he wasn't arrested. WWE should release an online apology and Bradshaw should be fined...

Man would I love to see Jeff Jarret show up on The View and just Kabong someone with the guitar- ANYONE!

Maybe Tenay wants to be nice and give confused wrestling fans the correct answers to some of their false percpetions so they can appreciate the sport a little more by becoming more knowledgeable. What is that too non-cynical an answer for you all? Sheesh. And yes the questions are real, I sent in one about Don Callis that he answered...

spiny, it saved European Jews from total extinction. -=Mike and the rest of the world from being dominated by a race of crazy aryans. It wasn't good or anything though. In hindsight we probably shouldn't have gone in. And why the hell not?

Some great Reagan quotes: • "I did turn 75 today -- but remember, that's only 24 Celsius." • "It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?" • "A friend of mine was asked to a costume ball a short time ago. He slapped some egg on his face and went as a liberal economist." • To wife Nancy after John Hinckley, Jr.'s 1981 assassination attempt: "Honey, I forgot to duck." • During a 1984 debate with Walter Mondale: "I'm not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience." • "You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans." • "Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first." • In testing the microphone for his weekly radio address, Reagan declared, ''My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today I've just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes.'' • "Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." • "Mr. President," TV reporter Sam Donaldson yelled out at Reagan after a 1982 press conference, "In talking about the continuing recession tonight, you have blamed the mistakes of the past and you've blamed Congress. Does any of the blame belong to you?" Reagan responded, "Yes, because for many years I was a Democrat." • "Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it's not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work -- work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it." • "Well, this administration's objective will be a healthy, vigorous, growing economy that provides equal opportunity for all Americans, with no barriers born of bigotry or discrimination." • "Above all we must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." • "I hope you're all Republicans," he told doctors who were about to operate on his bullet wounds. • "Did we forget that government is the people's business, and every man, woman and child becomes a shareholder with the first penny of taxes paid?" • "We do not have a trillion dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough. We have a trillion dollar debt because we spend too much." • "But with these considerations firmly in mind, I call upon the scientific community in our country, those who gave us nuclear weapons, to turn their great talents now to the cause of mankind and world peace, to give us the means of rendering these nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete." • "Abortion is advocated only by persons who themselves have been born." • "Politics is a very rewarding profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book." • "America is too great for small dreams." • "We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we can always be free." • "Government growing beyond our consent had become a lumbering giant, slamming shut the gates of opportunity, threatening to crush the very roots of our freedom." • "I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself." • "I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency — even if I'm in a Cabinet meeting." • "Well, I learned a lot....I went down to (Latin America) to find out from them and (learn) their views. You'd be surprised. They're all individual countries" • "I don't know. I've never played a governor." –asked by a reporter in 1966 what kind of governor he would be • "Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his." • "I'm afraid I can't use a mule. I have several hundred up on Capitol Hill." –refusing a gift of a mule • "Politics is just like show business. You have a hell of an opening, you coast for awhile, you have a hell of a closing." • "In closing, let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that day may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead."

Hell yeah, the whole first Super X cup was just awesome. And both Ultimate X matches were good to great. Well worth it if you like high spot crusier style wrestling!

Pre-emption=When you are moved from your time slot for something else and randomly placed elsewhere. Or in this case not shown at all I have a feeling this will be happening a lot since the O's are replayed a lot on Comcast Sportsnet so if anyone wants to call the number I posted earlier and complain/ask that they replay it, you're more than welcome to and to report back what they tell you. As I said I'm just gonna bug someone I know with Direct TV for a tape of it this week, but it might get old if this happens a lot...

The idea they're pushing is that the winner of the match gets a regular TNA contract, since TNA has always pushed the "open door policy" for their undercarders. Going on that premise, expect Sonjay to win since he really did just sign a contract.

What I mean is to fight the War on Terrorism. The man had a plan to win the Cold War and it worked. He set goals and he stuck to them. It's a combination of admiration of his foreign policy skills with the somewhat ineptness of our current President's...

Man, even though he was President when I was too young to know much about him, and that he's been basically dead and deteriorating for almost 10 years now, this still feels so sad. We could use a man like Ronald Regan in the white house today. He lived an extraordinary life and carried the office with class and made it ok to be an American. It's good that he doesn't have to suffer any longer, and it is truly tragic that a man that once held such power was a reduced to a state where he wasn't even aware. I've been watching some old Regan speeches on the TV they've been playing and his style is just so personal and relaxed with a good sense of humor. RIP President Regan!

Well it looks like Comcast Midatlantic (DC/Balt.) is not being shown next week due to an O's replay. Unbelievable I can't believe FOUR AM isn't exempt from pre-emptions. I thought about calling the station to see if they could play it at another time (ANY TIME!!!) but I've already had enough fun arguing with my cable company all week to try to get the TNA monthly package deal (which they refuse to believe exists/don't offer it/whatever other excuse they give me), so I think I'll ask my Uncle who has Direct TV to tape it for me next week. For anyone else in the DC/Balt area, I suggest you do the same if you know someone with Direct TV, otherwise, try calling the station, and do post if something get's done!!! Comcast SportsNet: (301) 718-3200

Yo- if this is referring to me, I don't understand the problem. I get the show at 4 am Sat morning, and I posted to preview after, Philly get's the show 12 midnight Sat, so you should see the show BEFORE me. I don't see the problem... And just to clarify, as a loyal fan I try to do my part to promote the company the best that I can, so I picked out 2 matches I knew would be eye catching to the board as the teaser. If this really bothers you, I'll try not to do it in the future. Sheesh...

WHAAA!?!? Are they playing it at a different time. Your right it's bad enough that we get it at 4 am but if it get's skipped I'll be pissed!

Wrestling at 4 AM!!! Yeah I have to work this morning at 6 am, so I figured I'd just stay up and watch it "live". I LOVED the set and the atmosphere. Looked very professional and exciting and high tech. Graphics were cool too and it's obvious that they like having the FSN bar at the top. I like the idea of implimenting time limits and judge's decisions for time limits for Impact! to give it a more "sports" like feel on the sports station. Crowd was great, nothing like those WCW tapings, way into it and loud the whole time and a good majority seemed to be big time wrestling fans. I thought I saw a few of the Nashville regulars in the crowd too! Didn't mind the 6 sided ring, but can't say it stood out too much either. It provides for more action in tag matches though. They did a good job using it as a infomercial for the PPV with professional looking ads for the upcoming PPV and the crawler with results at the bottom was a good idea too. It all blended in well with the FSN sports format. Tag title change was a good idea to give Impact! a newsworthy event, and AJ to to the X division is a good idea in the short term since he is the most marketable star and the best to build around if they want to use the X division to sell more PPVs to the Impact! viewers. A good first start. I'd like in the future to see longer matches but I understand that they only have 1 hour and it needs to act as an infomercial. Overall I don't see how anyone couldn't be impressed with at least the presentation and atmoshphere of the show. Hopefully some more people give this week's PPV a buy!

Can someone tell me Kerry's stance on ANYTHING?

What's the point? If they had kept him, you would have bitched that his rights were being violated. You're just looking for things to criticize the administration with and will play whichever side is more conveniant to do so.

Not a problem