TNA News: Candido Memorial Tourney?

[Astro101 0]

TNA will hold their first ever "Chris Candido Memorial Tag Team Tournament" at this Tuesday's Impact taping at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, with the concept of a veteran teaming with an younger star. The tournament will span several tapings, with hope being to make it an annual event.

 

In regard to this week's meeting between TNA and Spike TV officials, Bill Banks wrote the following on the TNA website,"As most of you read on the internet, TNA and SpikeTV officials met this past week to plan out our debut on the network. Both sides were said to be ecstatic at the new working relationship, and both offices are already working in conjunction on an upcoming media blitz to hype our start on the network. SpikeTV.com and TNAwrestling.com will also be teaming up in the upcoming months to feature several new interactive features for fans on our respective websites."

 

Speaking of Impact, the first planned taping for the Spike TV show will be 9/27, taping two hours, with a new taping every other week. The expected Spike TV debut is currently Saturday 10/1. Spike TV will be handling advertising for the show, while TNA is providing content in a tradeoff situation. It does not appear that the promotion is paying for the timeslot, which is a tremendous weight off the shoulders of the company. Interesting to note that when TNA debuts, it will be the first time since 1993 that the NWA title has had national television coverage.

 

Jeff Hardy is booked to appear at this Sunday's Sacrifice PPV. Hardy has been said to be really motivated about coming back, and we'll all know soon enough.

 

Expect the return of Jonny Fairplay shortly, as Dixie Carter wants him back in the mix. Well, he is appearing on "Kill Reality" right now.

 

TNA will be holding a fan festival event on Saturday 10/22 as part of their Bound For Glory PPV the next day. Bound For Glory is going to be treated as the company's Wrestlemania and will be the biggest PPV to date for the company, given the range of their potential audience on Spike TV.

 

Bill Banks also confirmed the addition of Kevin M. Sullivan to the TNA production team, which we reported here on PWInsider.com several days ago.

 

The promotion will debut a Christopher Daniels T-shirt this weekend.

 

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The Candido Tourney sounds really nice, as it may give some young guys some rub. If they can get decent verteran guys, then it'll be interesting.

 

If it's true that TNA isn't paying to be on tv, that's just great news.

[Astro101 0]

TNAWrestling.com

 

A bit of an abbreviated Bank Shot this week as we count down the hours until this Sunday’s “Sacrifice” live and exclusively on Pay-Per-View.

 

For the remainder of the week, everyone at the TNA offices will be busy putting the final touches on this Sunday’s epic event. The majority of the TNA staff will arrive in Orlando on Saturday afternoon, with the wrestlers flying in Saturday night and Sunday morning.

 

In my opinion, I truly believe this Pay-Per-View has a chance to be our best yet. The lineup is packed and on paper every match looks to deliver in a big way. We’ve certainly tried our best to put together a show packed with intrigue, X Division action and a surprise or two – now it’s up to our roster to deliver in the ring. Based on the fact our roster has taken it to the next level on each of our PPV events, I’m confident this Sunday will be no different. TNA Pay-Per-Views have earned the reputation of being special, and our stars deserve all the credit.

 

For fans that may have ordered the Great American Bash from our competitor and were disappointed with their purchase, we ask you to take this opportunity to check out our product and judge for yourself.

 

The current lineup for this Sunday’s show is as follows:

 

MAIN EVENT

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Raven and Sabu vs. Jeff Jarrett and Rhino

 

SUPER X CUP FINALS

“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe

 

OVER A DECADE IN THE MAKING

The TNA in-ring return of Jerry Lynn vs. Sean Waltman

 

NON-TITLE INTERNET DREAM MATCH

X Champion The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels vs. Winner of Voting

(Thus far, Austin Aries is commanding the lead – voting ends Friday)

 

CHALLENGE MATCH

Lance Hoyt vs. Abyss w/Jim Mitchell

 

DECISION TIME FOR BG JAMES

Konnan and The Truth vs. Kip James and The Alpha Male Monty Brown

Special Referee: BG James

 

EIGHT MAN TAG TEAM WARFARE

NWA World Tag Team Champions The Naturals and America’s Most Wanted vs. Team Canada (Williams, Roode, Young and A1)

 

TIED 1-1: FINAL MATCH

Shocker vs. Alex Shelley

 

In addition, one more match will be announced on Friday featuring Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt and Shark Boy. TNAwrestling.com will also release the Countdown Preshow match this Friday as well.

 

In my opinion, each and every match offers something different on the show. It will be tremendous to see Raven and Sabu team up again in the main event, while everyone is waiting to see if AJ Styles has the answer to beat the “Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe in the finals of the Super X Cup, the winner of which advances to face The Fallen Angel at Unbreakable for the X Championship.

 

Speaking of Daniels, the “Internet Dream Match” poll we put up on Monday has been a huge hit across the internet. At this point, it’s going to be tough for Jay Lethal, Roderick Strong or Matt Sydal to catch up to Austin Aries, so you may well be seeing Daniels vs. Aries this Sunday when the voting ends Friday. Longtime wrestling fans can look forward to the match between Sean Waltman and the returning Jerry Lynn, a match over a decade in the making. Lynn is back in tremendous shape and has been training like a madman in recent months.

 

In addition, we’ll see if Lance Hoyt can step up to the plate on Sunday and cement himself as a player in the heavyweight ranks when he faces the monster Abyss. This is Hoyt’s first big test as a singles competitor in TNA – one that I think he’s more than ready for. In the eight man tag team match, you’ll see America’s Most Wanted and The Naturals team up for the first time ever to take on Team Canada, which after their long and bloody history should be interesting to watch. Meanwhile, BG James will certainly have to make a decision one way or another this Sunday when he’s the special referee for 3LK vs. Kip James and The Alpha Male, while the third and deciding rubber match between Alex Shelley and Shocker rounds out the matches announced thus far, with one more involving Sabin, Dutt and Sharkie to be announced Friday.

 

Plus – we’ve learned from TNA management that “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy has been informed his suspension has been lifted and he is expected to appear this Sunday at the Pay-Per-View.

 

The free Countdown Preshow starts a half hour prior to “Sacrifice” on Sunday on your Pay-Per-View preview channel. As always, the preshow will feature last-minute news and interviews before the event, with a free bonus match as well.

 

Full results, photos, news items and fan reaction to the event will be posted on TNAwrestling.com within a few hours following the Pay-Per-View. We’ll also have footage from the event online that night via the replay commercial for fans that may have missed the event and want to check it out the following day.

 

TNA Wrestling returns to Universal Studios on Tuesday for our monthly television tapings, which will lead into the “Unbreakable” Pay-Per-View on September 11. As always, fans who attend the taping will be treated to photos and autographs with the TNA stars at ringside immediately following the taping.

 

This Tuesday in Orlando will also feature the start of a tag team tournament, one we hope to make a yearly summer event along with the Super X Cup – “The 2005 Chris Candido Memorial Tag Team Tournament”, which will feature established veterans on the roster teaming with the young lions in our locker room. Candido was always about teaching and guiding the younger stars of the business, and the tournament will be a fitting tribute to that legacy. More details will be announced next week on the website.

 

Speaking of our television tapings, TNA Wrestling is in the process of putting together an official press release on our upcoming SpikeTV “iMPACT!” television taping schedule, which will begin in September. A release on our debut date and time on Spike is in the works as well.

 

As most of you read on the internet, TNA and SpikeTV officials met this past week to plan out our debut on the network. Both sides were said to be ecstatic at the new working relationship, and both offices are already working in conjunction on an upcoming media blitz to hype our start on the network. SpikeTV.com and TNAwrestling.com will also be teaming up in the upcoming months to feature several new interactive features for fans on our respective websites.

 

While the October 23 “Bound For Glory” Pay-Per-View is still two months away, there’s already some major plans being put together for the event. We’re hoping “Bound For Glory” will become one of our yearly, crown-jewel events, much like Lockdown will become. In addition to the Pay-Per-View that Sunday, the TNA “InterAction” fanfest will also return to Orlando the day before on Saturday. Details of the fanfest are being put together as I type this, and we’ll have the full information on the website next Friday afternoon.

 

Along with preparations for SpikeTV and Bound For Glory, TNA is also finalizing our first line of DVDs that will hit retail stores in early October. The Best of Raven, AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy and a new X Division DVD will be the first releases in many retailers, while Wal-Mart will feature the “TNA Anthology” box set of Victory Road, Turning Point and Lockdown. With our new national DVD distribution deal with Navarre, we’re planning on releasing up to 20 TNA DVD titles each year.

 

TNA added another television production wizard to our staff this past week, as former WWE producer Kevin Sullivan (not the wrestler) has signed on with the company. Sullivan will be working closely with David Sahadi in the upcoming months, and based on the fact I worked with him at WWE I know what he brings to the table. Funny side note – Sullivan’s first TV project at WWE was a commercial shoot in 1998 for RAW Magazine starring none other than yours truly. Maybe someday I’ll get a copy of it and Ebay it. On another side note, why is it everywhere I go in this business I end up working with a “Kevin Sullivan”? Hopefully, TNA’s Sullivan won’t be drinking “From the gahhhhblet of dahhhhkness”…..(that’s a vague reference for you “Dungeon of Doom” fans out there)

 

Speaking of our friend David Sahadi, we’ll be unveiling a new area on the website dedicated to the amazing opening Pay-Per-View videos Sahadi has done. Fans will be able to watch all of the opening videos Sahadi has produced right here on the website, and we’ll add the current videos immediately following the Pay-Per-Views.

 

Last but not least, be on the lookout for a new t-shirt featuring The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels hitting ShopTNA.com this weekend.

 

That’s it for this week! Tune in to “Sacrifice” this Sunday on Pay-Per-View and enjoy the show!

 

Bill Banks

[Coolclint 0]

If they're not paying for the spot, that's the best possible news that could happen for them.

 

I'm interested in the Tag Tournament, if only because it'll lead to a Foley-esque "Pick Me, Raven!" angle from Cassidy Riley...but there's more than that, honest.

[Astro101 0]

Yea, I'd love to see an exchange where Riley just goes up to Raven and begs for him to be his partner.

 

Simon Diamond/David Young were born for this tournament here. That's what their whole gimmick is all about. Veteran helping younger guy.

[Coolclint 0]

Yea, I'd love to see an exchange where Riley just goes up to Raven and begs for him to be his partner.

 

Simon Diamond/David Young were born for this tournament here. That's what their whole gimmick is all about. Veteran helping younger guy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

And of course Lynn with a young X-Division guy (Sabin?) and Waltman with one of his own (Bentley, playing up the Michaels-Waltman connection, AND the Bentley-Sabin feud that's gone on in TNA forever).

[Placebo Effect 0]

It does not appear that the promotion is paying for the timeslot, which is a tremendous weight off the shoulders of the company.

 

That puts a smile on my face.

[zyn081 0]

For fans that may have ordered the Great American Bash from our competitor and were disappointed with their purchase, we ask you to take this opportunity to check out our product and judge for yourself.

 

This Tuesday in Orlando will also feature the start of a tag team tournament, one we hope to make a yearly summer event along with the Super X Cup – “The 2005 Chris Candido Memorial Tag Team Tournament”, which will feature established veterans on the roster teaming with the young lions in our locker room. Candido was always about teaching and guiding the younger stars of the business, and the tournament will be a fitting tribute to that legacy. More details will be announced next week on the website.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hillarious. Id like to see signs in the crowd: I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH WWE'S GAB.

 

This is fantastic news of the Tag Tourney. So is that of not paying for the slot.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Yea, I'd love to see an exchange where Riley just goes up to Raven and begs for him to be his partner.

 

Simon Diamond/David Young were born for this tournament here. That's what their whole gimmick is all about. Veteran helping younger guy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'd like to see Young get the win they're clearing building to in one of the matches in this tournament.

[TNABaddboi 0]

The news that they are not paying for the slot is the best news that has ever come out of TNA. As is the news that Spike sounds serious about promoting them. If they aren't paying for the slot, they they have actually have a chance, even if they aren't being paid for the slot yet. Also, I think the tourney is going to be the vehicle to push Diamond and Young as a viable tag team. Like someone else said, that's their whole gimmick (veteran helping young guy put it together) and I think they'll have an interesting feud with the Naturals as soon as this never ending TC feud concludes.

[cue_meanie 0]

Where's the voting section on the TNA website for the net dream match. I checked and couldn't find it.

[Jebus 0]

Yea, I'd love to see an exchange where Riley just goes up to Raven and begs for him to be his partner.

 

Simon Diamond/David Young were born for this tournament here. That's what their whole gimmick is all about. Veteran helping younger guy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'd like to see Young get the win they're clearing building to in one of the matches in this tournament.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Diamond and Young beat AMW this week on Impact with Young getting the pin via spinebuster (and Team Canada distraction)

[Guest Desperate Housewife]

Expect the return of Jonny Fairplay shortly, as Dixie Carter wants him back in the mix. Well, he is appearing on "Kill Reality" right now.

 

I'm thrilled

[razazteca 0]

So what will Jonny Fairplay's role be this time? The only time I seen him was on FSN during that Best Darn Wrestling Show.

[Placebo Effect 0]

So what will Jonny Fairplay's role be this time?  The only time I seen him was on FSN during that Best Darn Wrestling Show.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I would hope he's kept in the background as a manager. I don't mind him too much, although I only saw his first brief run during the weekly PPV days.

[Astro101 0]

If they must bring in Fairplay, let him be the cocky manager. I mean, he actually has some wrestling experience and is a fan of it, so he's not just a reality star that knows nothing about wrestling.

[RedJed 0]

So what will Jonny Fairplay's role be this time?  The only time I seen him was on FSN during that Best Darn Wrestling Show.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

There is talk of him actually being Waltman's sidekick/manager. Might not be too bad as they are kind of both one of the same.

 

Regarding the tournament idea, I think it sounds great. Good enough formula for the next Dark Impact tapings anyway until they get on Spike TV. I would assume the winner gets a world tag title shot at either the Sept or Oct ppv then?

 

For what its worth, I like the Diamond/Young team, but please do NOT let them win the tournament. They can certainly be in the tourmanent and even go to the finals, but I would like someone else win. Not sure who though. It will be interesting to see what pairing they do.

[Astro101 0]

I'm calling Simon/Young for champs of this thing.