Magus 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2004 The following is a press release sent to PWTorch.com from TNA regarding Olympic wrestlers appearing on Impact this Friday... July 20, 2004 (Nashville, TN) – Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) announced it has invited two members of the United States Olympic Wrestling team to appear this Friday, July 23rd on "Impact!" which airs at 3:00 p.m. on Fox Sports Net (check local listings). Daniel Cormier (211 lbs.) and Joe Williams (163 lbs.) will be appearing on "Impact!" to garner support and publicize the U.S. team before they head to Athens in their quest for the gold. "We are thrilled to be able to recognize these two Olympians on 'Impact!,'" said Dixie Carter, President TNA Entertainment. "These young men, both of whom are medal contenders, have put in countless hours of hard work and training to represent the United States and our sport of wrestling. Amateur wrestling has been overshadowed in recent years and we want to send them to Athens with the appreciation and recognition they deserve." Cormier, a Lafayette, La. native, currently trains in Stillwater, Okla. He is considered a gold medal favorite in Athens. He has won two consecutive U.S. Nationals titles and placed fifth in the 2003 World Championships. He also captured a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. Williams, born in Chicago, IL where he later attend Mt. Carmel High School, the same school as professional sports stars Donovan McNabb and Simeon Rice, has been the top ranked U.S. wrestler at his weight class for the past four years. He won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Championships and has won gold medals at the 1999 and 2003 Pan American Games. Williams was a three-time NCAA champion at the Univ. of Iowa. TNA Wrestling will be updating its national viewing audience on the progress of USA Wrestling during the Games. **** sounds cool. maybe we'll see them school Jarrett or something. it'd be interesting if one or both of them wanted to return to TNA in the future. could it be the next Kurt Angle? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Last Free Voice Report post Posted July 20, 2004 I doubt it. Angle was one in a million. Plus they most likely are only doing this to stir up Patriotisim and stuff. maybe for AMW or something. Nothing will come of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Ultimate Fantasy Report post Posted July 21, 2004 I don't know, JJ might end up trying to convice one of the olmpic wrestlers to join sort of like Monty Brown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Corey_Lazarus 0 Report post Posted July 21, 2004 I wouldn't be surprised if one of them DID come in full-time, or maybe a Kurt Angle-like effect will happen, and that episode of Impact! will either be offensive or suck so bad they don't want to be in TNA (re: Angle was going to go to ECW in 1996, but when they did the crucifixion of Raven, he pulled out and threatened a lawsuit if they showed his face on television). Also, remember: few champion amateur wrestlers actually go pro. To many of them, pro wrestling is "fake" and "beneath them." The only one to really change their mind about the sport(s entertainment) has been Angle, since even the Steiners were pro fans before going amateur. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magus 0 Report post Posted July 21, 2004 TNA isn't NEARLY as edgy and offensive as ECW was, so i doubt that they'll do anything bad enough to offend Cormier or Williams. the decision would be entirely up to them if they would want to sign with TNA after the Olympics. personally, i'm hoping they will. Kurt Angle adapted to pro wrestling fairly easy, so maybe they would too. as for Impact, i'm curious what their role will be. that also depends on whether they'd be willing to participate in the show, or just show up and wave to the crowd for publicity. i'd REALLY like to see them show their stuff, though. rough up Jarrett or something like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Ultimate Fantasy Report post Posted July 21, 2004 I wouldn't be surprised if one of them DID come in full-time, or maybe a Kurt Angle-like effect will happen, and that episode of Impact! will either be offensive or suck so bad they don't want to be in TNA (re: Angle was going to go to ECW in 1996, but when they did the crucifixion of Raven, he pulled out and threatened a lawsuit if they showed his face on television). Also, remember: few champion amateur wrestlers actually go pro. To many of them, pro wrestling is "fake" and "beneath them." The only one to really change their mind about the sport(s entertainment) has been Angle, since even the Steiners were pro fans before going amateur. I don't know, I mean if they think pro wrestling is beneath them, they surely would not want to appear on TNA. Hey though wansn't Monty Brown a football player that decided to be a wrestler after making an apearence on TNA? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LucharesuFan619 0 Report post Posted July 21, 2004 With Tony Jones disappearing from the face of the earth, the indy circuit could use another amateur guy who can adjust well to the entertainment side of wreslting. Too bad they probably have no interest in TNA...actually, considering TNA would use them horribly, that may be a good thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magus 0 Report post Posted July 21, 2004 "I was in the freakin' Olympics and i STILL have to lose to this Jarrett guy?" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
