TNA's resident night owl and Dave Attell wanna-be returns again this week for more news and views. After yours truly recently switched to all-night studio edits following the Pay-Per-View to create Xplosion, my sleep schedule has gone into disarray. However, it makes you appreciate daytime television, as infomercials now rule my life. Regardless, it gives me more time to work on the website, and as a result, more of my rantings.
Enough about my insomnia...let's get on with it.
STING RETURNS
As always, it was great to once again see Sting at the TNA Asylum this past week. Having worked with Sting in WCW, he was always professional and great to work with. As you all know, Sting was in town for the filming of a movie about his life and took time out to appear on TNA PPV and to serve as the "Special Enforcer" for the Four Way Final this Wednesday night. It was also interesting to see Sting and Vince Russo talking at length in private backstage during the Pay-Per-View. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that one. To check out the official preview for this Wednesday's event, CLICK HERE
HISPANIC COMMUNITY COMES OUT IN FORCE
TNA officials were pleasantly surprised this week by the major turnout of the local Nashville hispanic community. Many attended to cheer on members of Team AAA from Mexico, who took part in tapings for the April 7 Americas X Cup Pay-Per-View against Team United Kingdom. Kudos go out to Armando Quintero, Konnan, Antonio Pena and TNA office worker Chris Blechschmidt for creating a buzz in the hispanic community about TNA. After the recent success of the Americas X Cup events and WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero, it's a welcome sight personally that wrestling - and television in general - has finally embraced the talent of the hispanic community. To reach about the Team United Kingdon April 7 Americas X Cup members, CLICK HERE.
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
Speaking of Mexico's AAA promotion, TNA viewers will have the opportunity this Wednesday night to witness the footage of Jeff Jarrett's trip to Mexico to compete for the promotion against Latin Lover on one of their biggest shows of the year. According to Jarrett, Abyss and Dutch Mantel (who accompanied them on the trip), they were lucky to escape the arena in one piece. After a particularly heated exchange between Jarrett and the AAA fans, the NWA World Heavyweight Champion relied on underhanded tactics - and the help of Abyss - to beat Latin Lover. That was the final straw for the AAA fans, who began pelting the ring (as well as Jarrett and Abyss) with bottles, garbage and even steel bolts. Mantel, who caught the entire melee on camera, later documented some of the dangerous projectiles on film. Despite the near-riot, TNA and AAA officials were very pleased with the event and the ongoing successful partnership between the two companies continues to grow. I hope the next time Jarrett returns to AAA in Mexico, he considers wearing full body armor.
TRIPLE X MINUS ONE?
In addition to the returns of Amazing Red as well as Slash and Sinn this past week, it was great to see the team of Low Ki and Christopher Daniels revealed as the Mystery Team. It should be interesting to see how Primetime Elix Skipper reacts to the situation, because as far as I can tell neither Low Ki or Daniels told their former Triple X partner their plans. The last time we saw the three in the ring, Skipper was trying to get Ki and Daniels back together - but he failed in doing so. What went on behind the scenes since that time? Hopefully we'll begin to find out. Regardless, Low Ki and Daniels will continue their march to potentially reclaiming the NWA World Tag Team Title this week as they face The Naturals in the semi finals of the tournament. As far as I'm concerned, this match could be the show-stealer on an already packed card.
YES, HE HAS A NAME
This past week on Pay-Per-View, Kid Kash unveiled a monster newcomer as his tag team partner in the NWA World Tag Team Tournament. While the identity of the big man was unknown Wednesday night, we learned later his name is "Dallas" and is apparently related to Kash in some way. After speaking to the mysterious big man recently, it's apparent he's thankful for this opportunity in TNA and only wants to learn. He's got all the potential in the world, and something tells me he's only going to get better with Kash by his side.
AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH
The recent success of Ron "The Truth" Killings in TNA is no surprise. The talented superstar has been waiting for another shot to be in the title scene for some time and has certainly made his an impact in recent weeks. Killings is young and hungry, and in my opinion one of the most underrated athletes in wrestling. It's obvious the fans have gotten behind Killings as well in his quest to become NWA World Champion, as the crowd chanted "TRUTH!" after each comment from the superstar this past week. This Wednesday's Final Four Way is The Truth's opportunity to finally make that "big impact" in TNA everyone has been waiting for.
THREE'S A CROWD?
The ongoing friction between the members of The New Franchise is, in my opinion, one of the most intriguing stories in TNA recently. The trio of Shane Douglas, Michael Shane and the lovely Traci have great on-camera chemistry and have made the most of every opportunity. It's apparent backstage that they take great pride in putting on their best on a weekly basis. But, as we've recently witnessed, perhaps Shane Douglas has done too good a job in teaching Michael and Traci, as they seem to be growing out of his control. A teacher outside of wrestling, Douglas can often be seen helping out the younger TNA talent each week. Perhaps one day when he decides to step away from the spotlight, Douglas will get the chance to work behind the scenes helping the next generation such as he's done with Michael Shane and Traci. Veterans of the business like Douglas, Raven and Jerry Lynn often don't get the credit they deserve for passing on their knowledge on a weekly basis.
OTHER NEWS AND NOTES:
- A quick note to Nashville TNA fans - Xplosion will begin airing on WB Channel 58 every Saturday at 11 AM starting this week. Special thanks to NWA Main Event promoter Mike Porter for making that happen. If you live around Nashville and get the opportunity to check out Porter's weekly NWA Main Event area shows, give them a try! Speaking of Xplosion, we've recently began airing in Philadelphia and on the Sunshine Network in Florida. This weekend, those who tune in will see some tremendous matches featuring AJ Styles vs. Jerrell Clark and Sonjay Dutt vs. John McChesny.
- Good luck to Goldberg with his acting career. I'll always have fond memories of his total professionalism during WCW. And if you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you.
- Although he was not featured on Pay-Per-View, it was good to see CM Punk backstage this past Wednesday prior to the broadcast.
- The "Heel Of The Week" in TNA? None other than Glenn Gilberti, who refuses to pay Vince Russo's daughter for girlscout cookies he purchased due to a supposed outstanding debt between Gilberti and Vince. Talk about taking candy from a child...
- Next month's special free TNA On Demand "Best Of" series will feature Sting, as fans will be able to preview his great match against Jeff Jarrett. A new batch of TNA Pay-Per-Views is set to debut on TNA On Demand in the coming days, so if you haven't signed up yet to watch our Pay-Per-Views online, I suggest you do so.
- Based on growing demand, TNA fans wishing to attend our live Pay-Per-Views at the Asylum in Nashville now have the option to purchase tickets a month in advance via the main page of this website.
- As announced on the Pay-Per-View, the start date of the TNA Academy At The Asylum has been pushed back to April 12 and 13 due to the overwhelming response to those hoping to attend the wrestling school. We also had a problem with the Academy email this past week, so if you sent a message and didn't get a response, please email us back.
FINALLY...AHEM....
It's come to my attention that a certain website wrestling journalist recently made some remarks about my positive views on our locker room. While I rarely voice my opinion on the subject, I will say this: As opposed to someone who waits for that cell phone call from the arena parking lot each week - I've been there. I've seen the locker rooms in WWF, WCW and now TNA, and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt this is the best. Perhaps your not-so-secret sources should come talk to me about it sometime.
That's it for this week - enjoy Wednesday's Pay-Per-View!
Bill Banks
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Anyone know what journalist he was talking about?
