TNA News & Notes from the 10/18 Observer

[Enigma 0]

Scott D'Amore announced on Joe Aiello's "No Holds Barred" radio show in Winnipeg that TNA has closed a deal for Impact to air every Monday at 4 p.m. starting on 11/8. These will be the episodes that air on Friday in the U.S., so it would be the first time Canada has gotten up-to-date TNA on regular TV. It's a six-week trial deal, which will be renewed based on ratings. Jeff Jarrett will be going on Off the Record probably the week before the show to promote the debut.

 

The Victory Road main event is Jeff Jarrett vs. Jeff Hardy, so they went with the original plan. Hardy asked for a ladder match. The final on 10/12 in Orlando saw a ref bump, Hardy using a Swanton but no ref, Abyss hitting Hardy with a black hole slam and Raven hitting Monty Brown with a chair and a DDT, allowing Hardy to win. Always good to make sure your challenger going for the belt has somebody else win it for him. Even though this isn't Vince Russo, if there was one thing Russo's WCW stint showed, was when every big match has tons of outside interference, nobody gets over winning or losing and basically nobody cares. Dusty Rhodes and Russo agreed there would be a fan voting (their first time they did one of those it was totally bogus) over who is the Director of Authority, either Russo or Rhodes. They announced Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Jerrelle Clark, Shark Boy, Chad Collyer, Amazing Red, Sonjay Dutt, Michael Shane, and Frankie Kazarian to the X Division gauntlet Rumble rules match on PPV. Jarrett mentioned Scott Hall & Kevin Nash, but not Sean Waltman, by name, on the show. He claimed Hall would come in on his side but Nash would come in against him. It looks like they are going to do a three-way with Raven, Brown, and Abyss, since they had a brawl on the show. Bobby Roode & Eric Young won the NWA tag titles from James Storm & Christopher Daniels. Later, Storm & Chris Harris challenged Roode & Young for a title match on the PPV. Johnny Swinger & Glenn Gilberti returned on Xplosion.

 

They've given up on the idea of Terry Funk doing the PPV, as Dusty Rhodes was talked about last week for a tag match teaming with Ron Killings against Kid Kash & Dallas, although nothing was done this week in that direction.

 

There were a lot of people surprised at how little apparent heat there was on both Kid Kash and Jeff Hardy from the prior week, and Dutch Mantel is apparently a supporter of Kash.

 

Jeff Jarrett and Jeff Hardy had made up, as evidenced by Hardy winning the deal. As it turned out, Hardy never did return a call after no-showing the 9/27 taping. After not hearing from Jeff, they called Matt Hardy, who is at home rehabbing his knee. Matt was the intermediary and apologized for his brother's not calling. They finally got a hold of Jeff, who gave an excuse that was said to be beyond lame, but they accepted it because it's see no evil, hear no evil here. As it turned out, the Orlando crowd turned bad against Hardy in the match with Abyss, which wasn't very good.

 

Roddy Piper was really down, talking a lot about how sad he was about Ray Traylor passing away, and talked about it in his TV interview as well, claiming Traylor had at one point saved his life. Piper said he'd have a mystery guest on a Piper's Pit on the PPV. They have an idea who they want, but it's not finalized.

 

I just hope all of the "big names" brought in on 11/7 have programs figured out long-term for them and they've committed to working at least semi-regularly. The company needs names in storylines who are serious about making something work that the odds are against working, and not guys who are going to treat it like a chance to make a big payoff and treat it like a short vacation party.

 

There was also a ton of heat on former TNA wrestler Legend (Joe E. Legend, whom also wrestled in the WWF as Just Joe), who ripped on Jeff Jarrett and Dutch Mantel on the internet. They were mad because they felt Legend went way over the line as he brought up Jarrett's wife's Jill's cancer of the back, and said it was karma. There are a lot of cruel things said in this business, but bringing that into your beef, if the beef is legit or not, seems way too cruel for me. Legend said he was going to beat Jarrett's ass when Jarrett came to Switzerland, which was scheduled 10/2, but Jarrett canceled with both his wife and father's health issues.

 

The story that Vince Russo agreed to work until they could finish up his storyline aren't true, and in fact, those in the company say he specifically stated he was done at the PPV.

 

The current TNA and "Best Damn Sports Show Period" deal is this. BDSSP is looking at doing a wrestling week, but TNA wouldn't be part of the entire week. The person putting it together is from New York and wanted loose stars he grew up on, like Bruno Sammartino types, as guests. The Wednesday show of the week (probably the Wednesday before the PPV, but this isn't finalized) is planned as being a TNA show.

 

There are mixed signals regarding Diamond Dallas Page. The situation right now is they are talking with him about debuting on the PPV, but it is not yet confirmed. Either way, do not expect it to be announced ahead of time if he is.

 

There was some heat on Raven for his match with Monty Brown. Impact is taped live-to-tape, which means they time it and do it like it's a live show. Raven, who called the match as the veteran, went 40 seconds to a minute long and they edited some things out of the show to make up for the missed time, most notably an NYC video package that nobody missed. Brown was mad because he thought Raven called the match to make him look bad and took too much of it. Brown didn't come out of it looking like a championship contender, although some of the fault would be how long they booked the match for, since even had it ended on time, it still was too long for Brown. The 10/12 tournament final of Jeff Hardy vs. Monty Brown was two guys who both looked bad and didn't get over in their matches.

 

The big Monsters Bash type deal on 10/9 in Orlando drew a police estimated 10,300 people to a deal with three wrestling matches and a lot of other activities all day. They had Jeff Jarrett & Johnny B. Badd vs. DJ Russ Rollins & Dusty Rhodes. Jimmy Hart managed the heels. Rollins and Badd juiced and they even went through tables. The finish saw, after a ref bump, Hart throw Jarrett's guitar into the ring over the head of Jarrett. Rollins got it and used it. Hart then ran into the ring, ripped off his shirt and had a ref shirt underneath, and then counted as Rollins scored the pin, then put on a Monsters ring jacket to end up as a face. The whole Rollins/Hart connection was something set up by the late Zane Bresloff in WCW. Jonny Fairplay was brought in to wrestle two women. As it turned out, both women were drinking heavily before the match, but I guess everyone survived. Fairplay walked out after they did a few quick spots.

 

At least three of the more heavily pushed guys are talking openly about going to WWE when their contracts expire over frustration with the company. There is clearly a lack of faith in the company's future. Several wrestlers this week were openly talking because at TV this past week, management was talking about how the TV ratings are rising, when a lot of the wrestlers realize that isn't the case.

 

Here is the planned deal for Victory Road. They are offering a package with a Q&A and autograph session on 11/6, the PPV on 11/7, and a post-show PPV party for $49. They are saying the $49 guarantees you to get into Victory Road, which makes it sound, to me, if they can't sell out the 850 or so seats for a PPV, they'll round up people at the park.

 

Here is the Jerrelle Clark story. At the 9/28 tapings, he and Mikey Batts beat David Young & Lex Lovett when he pinned Lovett after his 630. Many in the company thought he had changed the finish, as the original finish was supposed to be a roll-up. They wanted to protect Lovett because there have been thoughts of doing something with him down the line. Terry Taylor, not knowing the finish was a roll-up, or any of this, told him he could do the 630. He never went back to management or the original agent to clear it. Supposedly, as retribution, management told Michael Shane & Kazarian (& Tract) to work very stiff with him on 10/5. Clark came out of the match with one broken rib and two cracked ribs from very hard chops and kicks to the chest from a hard kick by Kazarian. Clark, showing his lack of savvy, then came home and didn't tell the story, but did address a lot on his web site, saying he was feeling dejected, and listed a bunch of lessons he learned at the show the day before, including don't get on the massage table, that if a second agent changes what the first agent did, make sure to report to the first agent. He also said he was reprimanded for getting in more than two moves on a hot tag, and said "everyone knows what's going on but you" in reference to the fact a lot of the wrestlers, as well as tag partner Batts, knew about retribution coming in the match, but he had no idea. He went to the doctor after the show who told him he needed to take some time off, to let his ribs heal, so naturally, because he needs the money, he's not taking any time off including working independent shots.

 

As of this point, there are plans for a Mexican minis singles match on the PPV featuring Mascarita Sagrada. His opponent hasn't been decided upon. The original Espectrito was talked with, but he said he had a prior booking he couldn't get out of.

 

The TNA Gut Check at the Atlanta Fitness Expo on 10/8 and 10/99 was said to have been a disappointment. They had slots for 100 men and 100 women to try-out, since this was a big national bodybuilding and fitness convention and there was a time not all that many years ago when tons of bodybuilders and fitness women wanted to be pro wrestlers. After all the weeks of TV advertising, they had about 30 men and 3 women who showed up, and a lot of the guys were already independent pro wrestlers including Hawk Younkins of Tough Enough 2, Scott Starr from Memphis, Brad Martin from Ontario, and Carolinas independents Krazy K, Tank Lewis, and Jesse Lee. Among those from TNA there were A.J. Styles, Rick Santel, Matt Catalano, Bart Sawyer, Walt Wilson, Jeff Hammonds, and Atlanta-based wrestlers David Young, Glen Gilberti, Don Harris, and Swinger. Hawk was the center of attention, but not in a good way, as he was awful in the fitness drills, plus he was said to have worn an embarrassing looking outfit. Scott D'Amore, Elix Skipper, Trinity, and Jerry Lynn ran things. A few guys dropped out during training. Krazy K, who is the guy who worked with Jeff Hardy on the ROH show, and Starr were the standouts, along with a 5’6’’ bodybuilder named John Bolen. Bolen ended up puking in a garbage can. Everyone cut promos and most weren't good. Only two women were left by the end, with the winner being Jamie D, a Michigan independent wrestler who has a resemblance to Trinity, and who D'Amore probably knew from that scene. But she was said to have been the deserving winner, as she was a hell of an athlete. Neither K nor Starr ended up making the final three, and Bolen won, with Martin, who has worked in the past for D'Amore's Border City Wrestling, finishing second. Starr was furious having driven in from Mississippi, because he was the best at most of the in-ring drills. It was noted how interesting it was they picked the bodybuilder when the TNA product isn't about bodybuilding muscles. The winners got $4,000 plus will be trained at the TNA Asylum Gym.

[AmazingRen 0]

At least three of the more heavily pushed guys are talking openly about going to WWE when their contracts expire over frustration with the company. There is clearly a lack of faith in the company's future. Several wrestlers this week were openly talking because at TV this past week, management was talking about how the TV ratings are rising, when a lot of the wrestlers realize that isn't the case.

I'm thinking Truth, Sabin, and Kash

[2GOLD 0]

Jeff Jarrett and Jeff Hardy had made up, as evidenced by Hardy winning the deal. As it turned out, Hardy never did return a call after no-showing the 9/27 taping. After not hearing from Jeff, they called Matt Hardy, who is at home rehabbing his knee. Matt was the intermediary and apologized for his brother's not calling. They finally got a hold of Jeff, who gave an excuse that was said to be beyond lame, but they accepted it because it's see no evil, hear no evil here. As it turned out, the Orlando crowd turned bad against Hardy in the match with Abyss, which wasn't very good.

 

Welp, that didn't take long did it?

 

Does Hardy have pictures of Jarrett or something?

[Guest Coffey]

Sounds like nothing but more bad news. On a side note, I downloaded a recent Ring of Honor show, and needless to say, I was MORE than impressed. CM Punk Vs. Samoa Joe STUNNED me.

 

Sorry TNA, you've lost my support. In fact, I'm going to have my name taken off of the mailing list even.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Sounds like nothing but more bad news. On a side note, I downloaded a recent Ring of Honor show, and needless to say, I was MORE than impressed. CM Punk Vs. Samoa Joe STUNNED me.

 

Sorry TNA, you've lost my support. In fact, I'm going to have my name taken off of the mailing list even.

Was it your first RoH show that you saw?

[JoeDirt 0]

More TNA fans need to see ROH and IWA-MS and be converted.

[Copper Feel 0]

More TNA fans need to see ROH and IWA-MS and be converted.

personally i prefer tna. mainly cause of the attitude of the roh fans. and the way that the promotional machine drives home that its not sports entertainment over and over. plus tna always fells like a bigger thing than roh.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

More TNA fans need to see ROH and IWA-MS and be converted.

personally i prefer tna. mainly cause of the attitude of the roh fans. and the way that the promotional machine drives home that its not sports entertainment over and over. plus tna always fells like a bigger thing than roh.

I have to disagree. The promotional machine isn't promoting that as much anymore, and their shows are much higher quality than TNA's. TNA is a company which is literally smaller than ROH trying to act like they're as big as WWE. If ROH were to get a national TV deal, it would blow TNA out of the water. Part of this is because they have better wrestling, partly because they have better booking, partly because they have better wrestlers.

 

I went to the ROH show in Dayton to see what everyone has been making such a big deal out of, and I understand it. I think watching TNA live would be like watching the local promotion I used to watch when I lived in TN. Mike has been right all along. TNA is indy trying to be national.

 

And at least ROH's fans care. Most of TNA's don't solely because TNA wants to manipulate them.

 

CM Punk Vs. Samoa Joe STUNNED me.

 

Samoa Joe alone stunned me live. It's been a few days, and I'm still in awe. I've still got "The Champ is Here" ringing in my ears. He walks, talks and acts like a champion. Jarrett should take lessons.

[TNABaddboi 0]

I think watching TNA live would be like watching the local promotion I used to watch when I lived in TN. Mike has been right all along. TNA is indy trying to be national.

 

Swigg, I went to the Anniversary show and it defniitely didn't come off as an indy production live. The only time I got the "indy vibe" was when I saw the outside of the Aslyum. But inside, it actually felt like a Nitro taping I attended at the Omni in Atlanta in 1995 (the only WCW show I ever went to), but nothing like the multiple RAWs I ended from 95-01. And the fans definitely where into the show, so I think it's a stretch to say the fans didn't care. Going to the show live gave me a different perspective entirely....the fans that night definitely cared whether or not the Truth was able to beat Jarrett for the belt. All in all, I'm just saying I think this statement was a little harsh on TNA and unfair. Granted, I've never seen RoH, so I'm not commenting on the comparasion at all, but just this assessment of TNA's "national-ness."

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

If ROH were to get a national TV deal, it would blow TNA out of the water.

 

That's a huge deal though. That's like saying " If ROH were anywhere near as big as TNA, they'd be a lot bigger." They're just not in the same class right now. Is the wrestling better in ROH? Sure. More profitable? Probably, though there has been some evidence to the contrary.

 

Now as far as talent goes; I don't think right now that ROH has nearly the talent that TNA has. TNA is misusing it's talent, no doubt, but there is nothing wrong with their roster.

 

Booking, etc., you'll get no argument from me.

[TNABaddboi 0]

That's a huge deal though. That's like saying " If ROH were anywhere near as big as TNA, they'd be a lot bigger." They're just not in the same class right now. Is the wrestling better in ROH? Sure. More profitable? Probably, though there has been some evidence to the contrary.

 

 

WMD, I definitely agree here. To further put it in perspective, that'd be like a TNA supporter (or some would say apologist) saying "well if TNA was as big as WWE, they'd be the #1 Company in the World," but they're not, so, well, they're not. IMO, that's a huge conditional statement.

 

I also agree that while they might not be booking everyone properly right now (The Truth, for example), there isn't anything wrong with the TNA roster as a whole.

[Guest Coffey]

Sounds like nothing but more bad news. On a side note, I downloaded a recent Ring of Honor show, and needless to say, I was MORE than impressed. CM Punk Vs. Samoa Joe STUNNED me.

 

Sorry TNA, you've lost my support. In fact, I'm going to have my name taken off of the mailing list even.

Was it your first RoH show that you saw?

That was the first whole card I'd seen, yes. Outside of that show, I have a six hour comp. tape that I've had for awhile. It was nothing but match after match though.

[JoeDirt 0]

Sounds like nothing but more bad news. On a side note, I downloaded a recent Ring of Honor show, and needless to say, I was MORE than impressed. CM Punk Vs. Samoa Joe STUNNED me.

 

Sorry TNA, you've lost my support. In fact, I'm going to have my name taken off of the mailing list even.

Was it your first RoH show that you saw?

That was the first whole card I'd seen, yes. Outside of that show, I have a six hour comp. tape that I've had for awhile. It was nothing but match after match though.

I'm guessing you saw World Title Classic from June, then. Make sure you get Generation Next from May (my fav show of the year), Survival of the Fittest (next show after WTC and a great show) and Death Before Dishonor 2 part 2 (part 1 is good, part 2 is FANTASTIC.)

 

As far as TNA goes, how fucked up is that shit with Jerrelle Clark?

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

Ahh, the situation with Jarelle is pretty standard procedure actually.

 

Like at my job the other day. I changed the brand of copy paper we were using. Well, a couple of days went by and everything was cool. Next thing I know I'm sittng at my desk typing away when..WHAM! The office manager is cracking me over the head with a stapler.

 

See, it happens everywhere.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Ahh, the situation with Jarelle is pretty standard procedure actually.

 

Like at my job the other day. I changed the brand of copy paper we were using. Well, a couple of days went by and everything was cool. Next thing I know I'm sittng at my desk typing away when..WHAM! The office manager is cracking me over the head with a stapler.

 

See, it happens everywhere.

I can vouche for stuff like this. See the other day when I was at work, a guy I work with was suppost to have the day off on Wednesday. He came to work that day and said that he would need off on Thursday instead. Well, it's safe to say that on Friday my boss told me and three others to "take him to lunch". Well, lets just say that instead of taking him out for ribs......we just beat him with pipes in the ribs instead. I also got employee of the week too.................

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

Hey congrats man! See, it's no big deal.

 

Jarelle should stop being such a wussy. He's lucky he doesn't work with DK.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Hey congrats man! See, it's no big deal.

 

Jarelle should stop being such a wussy. He's lucky he doesn't work with DK.

For a second I thought you meant Dynamite Kid. That would make that statement true.

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

Yeah, given a choice, I'd take Kazarian's kicks over Dynamite stiffing me any day. Strangely enough, when Shane was X-champ he did a little indy show in my hometown. He was stiffing the crap out of the poor local guy. Seriously, he kicked him in the head once while the guy was down and I was shocked the guy could get up from it, though his head was swollen like a basketball. Shane looks too little to get a rep for stiffing poeple.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Yeah, given a choice, I'd take Kazarian's kicks over Dynamite stiffing me any day. Strangely enough, when Shane was X-champ he did a little indy show in my hometown. He was stiffing the crap out of the poor local guy. Seriously, he kicked him in the head once while the guy was down and I was shocked the guy could get up from it, though his head was swollen like a basketball. Shane looks too little to get a rep for stiffing poeple.

I saw quite the opposite when Shane was here. The indy worker totally took Shane to school. Never got into Shane as a legit threat ever again.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

That's a huge deal though. That's like saying " If ROH were anywhere near as big as TNA, they'd be a lot bigger." They're just not in the same class right now. Is the wrestling better in ROH? Sure. More profitable? Probably, though there has been some evidence to the contrary.

 

 

WMD, I definitely agree here. To further put it in perspective, that'd be like a TNA supporter (or some would say apologist) saying "well if TNA was as big as WWE, they'd be the #1 Company in the World," but they're not, so, well, they're not. IMO, that's a huge conditional statement.

 

I also agree that while they might not be booking everyone properly right now (The Truth, for example), there isn't anything wrong with the TNA roster as a whole.

I disagree. ROH has a following from New Jersey to Minneapolis, and make money touring selling tickets to PAYING fans. TNA has yet to do that. And while I understand that the anniversary show may have felt major league, I'm fairly sure it's not quite the same now. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the stereotypical ROH mark that thinks TNA is the most retarded thing in the world. I like TNA, I just think ROH has a better foundation than TNA does. If TNA would have started by touring instead of just putting on TV shows, I think it would have helped them.

 

ANd yes, by God, they misbook nearly EVERYONE.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

I'm not your stereotypical ROH mark either......and I DO think TNA is the most retarded thing in the world. At least right now........

[Guest MikeSC]

I'm not your stereotypical ROH mark either......and I DO think TNA is the most retarded thing in the world. At least right now........

I'm not a fan of ROH whatsoever --- and they're significantly better than TNA.

-=Mike

[TNABaddboi 0]

I was just saying that IMO comparing TNA to RoH is like comparing apples to oranges, just as comparing TNA to WWE is. We definitely have tiers right now, as opposed to the time when either side (WWF or WCW) could have been considered the "big time" (96-99).

[Guest MikeSC]

I was just saying that IMO comparing TNA to RoH is like comparing apples to oranges, just as comparing TNA to WWE is. We definitely have tiers right now, as opposed to the time when either side (WWF or WCW) could have been considered the "big time" (96-99).

Honestly, the ONLY difference between the companies is that ROH makes money and has fans pay to watch the show.

 

TNA had a chance ROH never had to become big --- and they bombed.

-=Mike

[JoeDirt 0]

I'm not your stereotypical ROH mark either......and I DO think TNA is the most retarded thing in the world.  At least right now........

I'm not a fan of ROH whatsoever --- and they're significantly better than TNA.

-=Mike

What wrestling ARE you a fan of, Mike?

 

Not being sarcastic or anything...I'm actually curious.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

I'm not your stereotypical ROH mark either......and I DO think TNA is the most retarded thing in the world.  At least right now........

I'm not a fan of ROH whatsoever --- and they're significantly better than TNA.

-=Mike

What wrestling ARE you a fan of, Mike?

 

Not being sarcastic or anything...I'm actually curious.

http://www.prowrestlingrepublicans.com/

 

Mike's favorite wrestling.............

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

There is a thread on this board somewhere that says ROH was dishonest about the money they were making. Honestly, I dont' have a clue, but it's not like either company is booming financially, so that's not a good point.

 

I understand people liking ROH better than TNA. Heck, I understand them liking ROH better than WWE, but if they can't get a natinal TV show, what does that say? ROH seems to inspire unrealistic thought among it's fans. Talk about a little company that wants to act big-time...

 

Anyway, before we get into the ROH vs. TNA war, I'll just say I'm totally indifferent to ROH. Being in NC, ROH may as well be Puro, because it's impossible to keep up with from here, and I don't have the cash to buy a tape every month.

 

I have the ability to keep up with TNA, but right now I don't even put forth that effort. It's just not good right now.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

I would think that ROH is making money, especially with them bringing in Liger. Hell, I couldn't even imagine how much that is going to cost them. I would imagine they do pull in decent money from tape sales and live attendence(their tickets are NOT cheap for indie standards). Also, I don't think that ROH WANTS a television deal as they are trying to stay underground and just depend on their fanbase to keep them in business. It's seemed to work so far...............

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

Also, I don't think that ROH WANTS a television deal as they are trying to stay underground

 

And there is my point. We're trying to compare an underground company with a company that has a national TV deal. It's just not a fair comparison.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Also, I don't think that ROH WANTS a television deal as they are trying to stay underground

 

And there is my point. We're trying to compare an underground company with a company that has a national TV deal. It's just not a fair comparison.

I would agree with that. ROH doesn't have any advertisers or anything like that to deal with. Also, unlike TNA, ROH actually knows how to cater to THEIR fans as well.