News from the Bank Shot

[TNABaddboi 0]

By now, you’ve all read the news that Jeff Jarrett defeated Raven with help from AMW in Canada on Thursday night to regain the NWA World Heavyweight Title. Jarrett had been saying all along he was going to find a way to be champion come SpikeTV, and he pulled it off thanks to Chris Harris and James Storm. Not only did Jarrett regain the gold, but formed what looks to be an unstoppable alliance with America’s Most Wanted.

 

Certainly, one would assume Jarrett and AMW plan to roll out the red carpet on the debut of “iMPACT!” on October 1. The only question is, who will step up to the plate on SpikeTV to challenge the new champion? Raven, for one, should want to murder all three of them. The Alpha Male Monty Brown and Jeff Hardy are back in the mix, while Abyss is still on a “seek and destroy” mission for the gold.

 

The debut of “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV is shaping up to be a tremendous show. Not only will the newfound Jarrett/AMW alliance be there, but we also have a new TNA X Division Champion in AJ Styles, and our first show wouldn’t feel right without seeing The Phenomenal One in action. TNA management will be finalizing the lineup for the show this coming week, so hopefully we’ll have plenty of news to post on the website.

 

And, of course, there will be a few surprises as well…

 

Speaking of the first “iMPACT!”, we want to know who you think should be in the first match on SpikeTV. You can cast your vote on the TNA main page starting this weekend.

 

“Unbreakable” last Sunday was a tremendous success for TNA Wrestling and had a little bit for everyone. Terms like “Match Of The Year” get thrown around all the time in wrestling, but in my opinion the X Title Match could live up it by years end. I thought Austin Aries and Roderick Strong had a great match, and no doubt TNA matchmakers have taken notice of them. It was good to see the 3LK reunite in victory, and I don’t think we’ve seen the last of the war between Abyss and Sabu. In addition, The Naturals overcame the odds to retain the NWA World Tag Team Title, while Raven vs. Rhino was a hardcore massacre.

 

Replays are still airing of “Unbreakable” – check out the replay schedule on the main page for times and dates

 

Based on the reaction I read on the internet, the majority of fans enjoyed the show and commended our continued hits on Pay-Per-View. I said it before and I’ll say it again – TNA is running on all cylinders as we head to SpikeTV in just two weeks. Everyone in the company feels it, from the stars to the front office. It’s the most exciting time in TNA’s history, and we owe it to the fans.

 

Shortly after the October 1 debut on SpikeTV, we’ll be just a few weeks away from “Bound For Glory”, which will be the crown-jewel Pay-Per-View of TNA’s yearly events. We’ve already announced that Jushin “Thunder” Liger will be traveling to TNA to compete on the card, as well as the return of the Ultimate X Match after Matt Bentley’s challenge at “Unbreakable”. I expect the rest of the Bound For Glory card to shape up on the first episodes of “iMPACT!”, but hopefully we’ll have some news to announce on the website between now and then.

 

Speaking of “Bound For Glory” weekend, we’ll be posting more names to appear at the “TNA Interaction” fanfest that Saturday afternoon. Jushin Liger is the latest name added to the list, which I’m sure is great news to our many Japanese wrestling fans who will be attending the fanfest. Tickets for “Bound For Glory” weekend are still available at ShopTNA.com, and it will be the only way to guarantee entry to the Pay-Per-View if you plan to visit Orlando.

 

Local Nashville college students – TNA is offering internships at our main offices. If you’re interested, send your contact info and resume to: [email protected]

 

TNA President Dixie Carter recently did a lengthy interview with Pro Wrestling Illustrated on a number of TNA topics, set to go on sale on October 25. You can currently read the interview on PWI’s website at www.pwi-online.com

 

On the DVD front, we’ve got a ton of releases set to hit major retailers in the coming months. On the shelves this month in Wal-Mart will be the “TNA Anthology” set of Victory Road, Turning Point and Lockdown, with The Best of Jeff Hardy, Raven and AJ Styles available in other major retailers. By December, Final Resolution, Against All Odds and Destination X will be in stores as well.

 

In January, the following DVDs will be released: Hard Justice, Slammiversary, No Surrender, Unbreakable, Bound For Glory and a brand-new Best Of The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels DVD. I’ll be speaking with Daniels tomorrow to finalize the matches he wants on the DVD, as well as bonus footage. Daniels is trying to get ahold of some early matches to possibly include as bonus footage.

 

In February, we’ll be releasing the upcoming November “Genesis” Pay-Per-View along with a new “Best Of The Heavyweights” featuring Jeff Jarrett.

 

As far as other merchandise, ShopTNA.com will be unveiling a new AJ Styles and Jeff Jarrett t-shirt prior to Bound For Glory.

 

According to TNA management, the response to our action figures in stores has been overwhelming, as retailers report they have been flying off the shelves and additional orders are pouring in. You can get the toy line at several retailers, including Toys R Us, KB Toys and select Wal-Mart locations.

 

I thought Traci did a good job in her role as a backstage interviewer at Unbreakable. I was thoroughly amused by the TNA Knockout not knowing she was on camera in the midst of asking Larry Z about the hiring of Gail Kim. I, for one, would like to see what’s going to happen when Gail meets Traci on TNA television.

 

Speaking of Traci, she was somewhat nervous before the show about her role, but she had a perfect backup plan in case she messed up during the live interviews: “I’ll just jump up and down a few times and everyone will forget!”

 

Speaking of Gail Kim, we’ll be doing a photo shoot with the newest TNA Knockout in the upcoming weeks, resulting in plenty of viewing enjoyment here on the website.

 

On Monday, we should have a release on the website concerning a deal between Canada’s Fight Network and TNA Wrestling.

 

For you UK fans in the Impact Community that asked me, TNA Wrestling will continue to air on The Wrestling Channel in addition to our new deal with Eurosport.

 

Last but not least, you can currently watch the first “Best Of TNA” broadcast on the Bound For Glory area of the website, featuring Samoa Joe vs. Alex Shelley, Jeff Jarrett vs. The Alpha Male and the Ultimate X Match from Final Resolution. Next week’s broadcast – also available on the website – will feature the 30 Minute Ironman Match between AJ Styles and The Fallen Angel, as well as The Monster’s Ball Match from Victory Road with Abyss vs. Raven vs. The Alpha Male.

 

The voting for the first match is kinda cool. I wonder if they'll do a legit vote. Also, I'm glad the entire year of PPVs will be available by January. They got start turning those around quicker now that they are in stores