New Bank Shot

[TNABaddboi 0]

Here's the new column, which was posted today:

 

It’s less than 24 hours after TNA’s first “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV, and I’ve been spending the better part of the day reading through online fan reaction to our first show. I will say I’m overwhelmed by the amazing positive response. There were some fans who offered constructive criticisms of the show, which is always welcome.

 

There were viewing parties among TNA staff and stars across the country. In the days leading up to the show, everyone was on the phone with each other discussing where and with whom they would watch it. Here in Nashville, the local office staff got together at my and Borash’s apartment.

 

If you happened to catch the Ultimate Fighter marathon on Saturday, over a dozen new TNA commercials aired throughout featuring Traci, Rhino. Team Canada, Jeff Jarrett, AJ Styles, Tito Ortiz and more. The relationship between TNA and SpikeTV has been great, and we’re excited with the amount of commitment and promotion they continue to give us.

 

I will say I tried to watch the show as a person who may have never seen TNA Wrestling before (which is tough to do after working in the business, but necessary if you are to grow and succeed). I’m sure everyone will be pleased when we all discuss it in our Monday morning meeting, but there is room for improvement in several areas on the show in my opinion.

 

One random note – I was thoroughly blown away by the look and feel of the arena, thanks to Don Harris, Greg Horn and their crew. Everything from lighting to pyro to banners looked tremendous.

 

Along with our incredible talent roster that busted their butts for the show, kudos also go out to Kevin Sullivan, David Sahadi and Andrew Thomas for burning the midnight oil three straight days to put the final touches on the program back in Nashville.

 

The day of the taping felt a little “extra special” – and I’m sure there were plenty of butterflies in some stomachs. Definitely a mix of excitement and nervousness that everything go right – another true testament to the determination and professionalism of our roster. For my part, I tried to keep everyone loose and positive throughout the day.

 

Due to the fact the show is only an hour long (with commercials, even less), we were unable to feature some of our extraordinary stars on the first “iMPACT!”. Certainly, some were down about that, but they turned their disappointment into the drive to deliver solid work in other aspects of the tapings. Our roster doesn’t get upset – they just work harder to make the rest of the product better.

 

Also at the tapings, we began taping exclusive matches and interviews for our syndicated Xplosion show, which in recent months has been in need of a kick in the BUTT. This weekend, you’ll see NWA World Tag Team Champions The Naturals and Lance Hoyt vs. “Primetime” Elix Skipper, David Young and Cassidy Riley in what was a tremendous match that set the tone for the night.

 

QUICK PREVIEW FOR NEXT SATURDAY’S ‘iMPACT!”

Main Event: Team 3D vs. America’s Most Wanted – first time ever!

The 3Live Kru vs. Team Canada

The monster Abyss vs. Sonny Siaki

“The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels vs. Matt Bentley vs. Austin Aries

A major announcement concerning Tito Ortiz

More matches announced for “Bound For Glory”

Plus, appearances by NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett, X Division Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Raven, Rhino and many more of your favorite TNA stars!

 

If you haven’t gotten a chance yet, check out the new TNA online area at SpikeTV.com. It’s got photos, bios, info and exclusive interviews with many of the top TNA stars. SpikeTV.com really did a great job with the new area.

 

On a side note, I finally got the opportunity to watch “The Longest Yard” this weekend, featuring Kevin Nash, which was just released on DVD. Very funny movie – check it out if you get a chance.

 

Speaking of Nash, he will be facing Jeff Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Title at “Bound For Glory” on October 23. The Pay-Per-View card is shaping up nicely, also featuring AJ Styles vs. The Fallen Angel for the X Championship in an Ironman Match, Samoa Joe vs. Jushin “Thunder” Liger (see note below), plus the returns of The Monster’s Ball and The Ultimate X Match. Several more bouts for the epic event will be announced in the upcoming weeks on “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV.

 

For fans who have yet to see the legendary Jushin “Thunder” Liger, there is a video up on the “Bound For Glory” Pay-Per-View page previewing the Samoa Joe vs. Liger match featuring the Japanese star in action. According to TNA management, Liger will also be a part of the “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV tapings following the Pay-Per-View. According to some of our fans who post on the Impact Community message boards, the Joe vs. Liger bout is making major news across the Japan wrestling scene.

 

In addition to Liger, the budding working relationship between TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling continues to grow, as both sides are in talks to feature TNA stars on an upcoming Tokyo Dome show. We should hopefully have more news on that on the website in the coming days.

 

Speaking of TNA’s “Global Impact”, The Phenomenal AJ Styles and Abyss were in England this weekend for a major card which they faced each other in the main event. TNAwrestling.com’s own Dan Burgess attended the event. A TNA contingent will be competing in Australia this week, including Jeff Jarrett, Styles, Team 3D, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe and others. Cameras will be on hand to capture footage in Australia for airing on an upcoming “iMPACT!”. Speaking of footage, all of us in the TNA office can’t wait to see the video of the recent promotional tour of India with Sonjay Dutt, Shark Boy and Simon Diamond. I’m told the footage is amazing, with ESPN Star India going all-out to spread the word about TNA. If you haven’t read Simon Diamond’s updates from India, check them out on the main page in the news area.

 

TNA’s Marvel toy line and our DVDs are becoming hot commodities in Wal-Mart and other stores, as they have been flying off the shelves with a mountain of re-orders already placed with our distributors. More great news for TNA!

 

New photos Gail Kim should be up soon in the Knockouts photo gallery. Lee South had been working insane hours preparing the website for “iMPACT!” and “Bound For Glory”, so his reward was getting to photograph Gail.

 

I don’t care how much animosity you have for someone – what was said about Bobby Heenan and Droz this past week was uncalled for. Period. Some lines you just don’t cross as a human being.

 

Thanks to everyone reading this who visited the Impact Community message board area on Saturday night after the show – we set a record for the number of fans in the area.

 

Just a reminder – during the week before “Bound For Glory”, DirecTV will be airing a special TNA Wrestling “freeview” featuring matches and interviews promoting the Pay-Per-View event. The presentation will be available at no cost to millions of DirecTV customers and is a major addition to the promotion of our event.

 

For those of you that emailed me, yes I forgot to add that “Sacrifice” will be released on DVD in January, along with Hard Justice, Slammiversary, No Surrender, Unbreakable, Bound For Glory and “Heaven Sent – Hell Bound: The Best of Christopher Daniels”. Yes, a really big month for TNA DVDs! Myself and The Fallen Angel are working on the lineup for his DVD, which thus far features the following matches: (The final lineup may be slightly altered after Daniels and I review it once more at the next “iMPACT!” tapings.)

 

Daniels vs. Low Ki vs Elix Skipper vs Kid Romeo vs Tony Mamaluke vs Jerry Lynn

Triple X vs. The Amazing Red & SATs

The Triple X vs. America’s Most Wanted wars

Triple X vs. AJ Styles and D-Lo Brown

Ironman Match: AJ Styles vs. Daniels

Daniels vs. Chris Sabin

Destination X Ultimate X Match where Daniels won the X Title

Daniels vs. Shocker and Primetime Elix Skipper, plus several more matches

 

In addition, as I type this, Daniels is trying to get a hold of some old footage of one of his first matches AND his first-ever match against AJ Styles to feature as bonus footage on his DVD, which he will provide exclusive commentary for.

 

One quick note for all of our new international fans – if you want to know how to catch TNA Wrestling in your country, we’ve compiled a “Master List” in the “Television Area” that shows every worldwide location and channel TNA can be seen. It’s a very impressive list, which is constantly growing.

 

Last but not least, I’m hopefully going to be doing an interview this week with TNA prospect Matt Duvall, who has been training and competing for the past year in Canada to make his wrestling debut. A former bodybuilding star, Duvall is a physical specimen that has taken to the wrestling game with surprising results. The interview, to be posted on the website, will take a look at the transition Duvall has made and what it takes to become a TNA star.

 

That’s it for this week – enjoy next Saturday’s “iMPACT!” with Team 3D vs. America’s Most Wanted!

 

Bill Banks

 

Thoughts?

[Guest MikeSC]

Just tell me the DVD's will be at Best Buy. Wal-Mart is way too damned spotty.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Amen to that

[2GOLD 0]

Liger vs Joe?

Christ that is going to be a stiff match.

 

I might cough up the 30 bucks just to see Samoa Joe kick Liger in the head.