TNA News Bytes

December 17, 2007

by Sassy

Who’s In

Judas Mesias was in the iMPACT Zone last Thursday to attack The Monster Abyss and defend Father James Mitchell after Abyss tried to choke slam Mitchell. No word on whether or not Mesias is pulling double duty and still working with AAA in Mexico.

Courtesy of Kris Zellner at www.luchaworld.com: Cibernetico was rushed to the hospital after the Guerra de Titanes show in Ciudad Madero on December 4, 2007,  after being put through a flaming table by El Mesias (TNA’s Judas Mesias). 30% of Ciber’s back was burnt and that he will be in the hospital till at least Wednesday. The doctors are telling him that he needs to be out of action for 4-6 weeks to fully heal.

NOTE: This might explain why Judas Mesias is back for the next several weeks and scheduled to work the January TNA pay per view…Cibernetico is the main antagonist for El Mesias. If Mesias is still holding the AAA Heavyweight Championship title, Cibernetico was to be next in line for a title shot. This site wishes Cibernetico the best and hope he heals quickly.

I’m not certain that this title isn’t jinxed. El Mesias suffered a severe injury in September of this year defending his title against Chessman. He was out of action for several months. He’s getting back into action and now Cibernetico is out for a couple of months…

The mysterious masked person that has attacked Hemme with LAX will be revealed to be former ECW diva Shelly Martinez (Ariel). Source: Gerweck.net

A new rumor is circulating that Sting has signed an extension to his current contract and will work through 2008 with TNA. Sting, now 49, will have a reduced schedule which means no house shows unless he wants to, pay per views and some iMPACT appearances.

The Current Roster

The roster on TNA’s official website lists the following wrestlers

Abyss

AJ Styles

Alex Shelley

Angelina Love

Awesome Kong

BG James

Black Reign

Booker T

Chris Sabin

Chris Harris

Christian Cage

Christy Hemme

Elix Skipper

Eric Young

Hernandez

Homicide

Jackie Moore

James Mitchell

James Storm

Jay Lethal

Jeff Jarrett

Jim Cornette

Johnny Devine

Judas Mesias

Kazarian

Kevin Nash

Kip James

Kurt Angle

Lance Hoyt


Matt Morgan

Ms. Brooks

ODB

Petey Williams

Raven

Rellik

Rhino

Rick Steiner

Robert Roode

Roxxi Laveaux

Samoa Joe

Scott Steiner

Senshi

Shark Boy

Sharmell

So Cal Val

Sonjay Dutt

Sting

Team 3D

Tomko

Velvet Sky

Missing since our last listing of wrestlers on this site as of November 21, 2007

Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels

Ron The Truth Killings

If the rumors we have been hearing are true, Senshi will be leaving after the next pay per view and Team 3D will be leaving by February of 2008.

These wrestlers were never listed on the official TNA roster

Scott Hall – never listed on roster

Jimmy Rave – never listed on roster

Rasheed Lucius Consequences Creed – never listed on roster

Not Yet

There are no plans for Jeff Jarrett to return on television as a performer at least for a few months. He is going to return when the time is right, which is not right now. Source: ProWrestlingFans.

You Have GOT To Be Kidding Me!

Jimmy Rave has not signed a TNA contract. Apparently his lack on his push is a result of not listening to encouragement from Vince Russo to improve his physique. Source: Gerweck.net

For TNA fans who have never seen Jimmy Rave in action – and if you have only seen him on TNA, you have NOT seen him in action – I suggest you drop by the Ring of Honor website: http://www.rohwrestling.com and check out a few of the DVD’s with Jimmy Rave performances. Russo wants WWE physique?  Then go back to WWE and let the talent you leave sitting on the sidelines get back in the game!

Who’s Out

Ron “The Truth” Killings requested and received his release from TNA.. Rumor has it Killings will be working for AAA in Mexico.  Killings profile has already been removed from the TNA roster page. He had not been in the ring since he partnered with Austin Creed to form the tag team Truth and Consequences. He posted the news on his MySpace page, www.myspace.com/ronkillings1:

"Ron "The Truth" Killings and TNA Wrestling have come to a mutual agreement on his release. Killings wishes TNA Wrestling the best. Killings is looking forward to continue his wrestling career and looking to go back to his original stomping grounds."

Senshi requested and received his release as well.  His final appearance should be at the January 2008 pay per view. Rumor has Senshi will be working for NOAH and Indy fans know he works for several Indy organizations on the East coast. Senshi has worked in Mexico for AAA before but no word yet on whether or not he has been offered any work there.

Right now there is no talk backstage in TNA about Junior Fatu. Therefore it is highly unlikely he will return, which has been a call made 100% by Jeff Jarrett. The feeling backstage is that Fatu came in like he was a big star and above everyone else, therefore rubbing everyone the wrong way. Source:ProWrestlingFans.

Is He or Isn’t He

For those have asked, the recent “firing” Christopher Daniels from TNA is just part of a storyline as he has not actually been released from the company. I have been absolutely amazed at the amount of people that do not believe that it is a storyline. Source: www.rajah.com

Maybe

Rumors suggest that Team 3-D will be putting over some of the X-division talent, and then leave the company in late January or early February. We hear they want to return to McMahon land. Source: www.gerweck.net

Not Out, Just Not Together.

There is talk of splitting up Lance Hoyt and Christy Hemme in the ring. Source: Gerweck.net We hear they were dating and split in real life. There is some concern about whether or not Jimmy Rave will be in TNA at all and what will happen with Lance if the current threesome is no longer together.

Bob Sapp Update

Bob Sapp has been in talks with both TNA and WWE. Hustle has announced that Sapp will team up with Giant Silva and Scott Norton against RG, Monster Bono, and Giant Voba in the main event of the promotion's Korakuen Hall show on Christmas Day.

It has also been announced that Sapp will face Bobby Ologun on 12/31 for K-1.

Source: Gerweck

Scott Hall News

At least one source is reporting that Scott Hall missed TNA’s Turning Point pay-per-view last weekend due to depression. Hall told TNA officials that he would be unable to work the event due to food poisoning. Whatever his reason was for not making the event, there are no plans going forward in TNA for Scott Hall. Source: www.prowrestlingfans.com

Other sources indicate that Hall’s depression was because he saw his children very little or not at all.  We understand at one point his ex was concerned about his addictions and didn’t want him around the children.

AND

The TNAWrestlingNews.com website is reporting that Scott Hall was scheduled to be on the Insane Clown Posse's radio show called "The Main Event" earlier this week but no showed. The 'Insane Clown Posse' noted on their show that the reason Hall didn't show up to TNA's Turning Point was because of a " very private family problem". Hall's actual excuse for TNA was that he was suffering from food poisoning but others in TNA believe he was depressed over not being able to see his kids as much as he'd like to. There were a number of issues and nobody really knows what happened because well, it's Scott Hall. At this time he's not expected back in TNA.

AND

Scott Hall was supposed to defend his Universal Heavyweight Title in Puerto Rico in WWC over the weekend but he no showed, so they gave the championship belt to the #1 contender. Unbelievable

More On The Big TNA Meeting

Article By: Ryan Clark

The 12/3 meeting with talent to offer releases to anyone that wanted to leave the company wasn’t a knee jerk reaction, and had been in the works for weeks. Management was said to have been fed up with the undercard wrestlers complaining, reports the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The meeting started at 1:30PM in the bleachers at the iMPACT! Zone, the day after the Turning Point PPV.

At the meeting, Samoa Joe apologized being unprofessional at the PPV. Johnny Devine also apologized at the meeting, for reportedly an incident involving the wrestler at a hotel on 12/1. TNA President Dixie Carter also addressed the talent.

Terry Taylor told that the talent that if they wanted their release, they could get it. As previously reported, Senshi (an update on Senshi is forthcoming) and Ron Killings requested and were granted their releases.

TNAWrestlingNews.com is reporting that even though Senshi and Killings were the only two to request releases that day, we have heard of many wrestlers contacting other wrestling organizations. We have also heard of other wrestlers wanting a release, and TNA trying to convince them to stay. Source: www.tnawrestlingnews.com

Mrs. Angle Takes a Tumble

Kurt’s Mrs. exited the ring the wrong way and broke her ankle on December 11, 2007. No word yet on how long she will be out.  If TNA management hurries, they can get some more “hotty” shots of her in a cast…

The Angles -- Again

Article By: Ryan Clark, December 10, 2007

I caught the 2007 Spike TV Video Game Awards earlier tonight. Kurt and Karen Angle introduced some more footage of the new TNA iMPACT video game. They made a joke about Samoa Joe that got zero crowd reaction when Karen said people could play as her husband in the game or a girl like Joe.

Kaz

Kazarian has really improved his standing in TNA with two very strong matches with Christian and one with Kurt Angle. While he still needs a lot of work on his television personality, his look and work ethic are there; thus he will continue to be placed in angles with top talent. Source: ProWrestlingFans

And Whatever

The rumor mill claims Samoa Joe wanted Homicide to fill in for the missing Scott Hall at Turning Point but Jeff Jarrett nixed the idea because LAX wasn’t “over enough” to fill in a major spot. I have nothing against Showtime Eric Young, but come ON, Jeff. The reason LAX isn’t “over enough” is because TNA is holding them back. Have you ever seen Homicide and Hernandez in the ring? 

This is the opposite of rumors that surfaced the day after Turning Point. Those rumors indicated Eric was given the spot because of his friendship with Vince Russo.

Ratings

iMPACT’s scored a 1.2 cable rating last week.

The Sci-Fi Network has changed their schedule for the final week of December. ECW on Sci-Fi was originally scheduled to air on Thursday, December 27th at 10 PM, putting it head-to-head once again with the second hour of TNA iMPACT which airs on Spike. With the change in the schedule, ECW will now air back in it regular time slot on Christmas night, Tuesday, December 25th at 10 PM. There was no reason as to why the network moved it, however, last time ECW went head-to-head with the second hour of TNA iMPACT, the show scored its lowest rating in history.

Spoiler Free Preview of December 20, 2007 iMPACT

Submitted by Michael Bluth, December 11, 2007

Last night TNA taped the December 20th edition of iMPACT! in Orlando. The December 27th show is being taped tonight.

Petey Williams vs. Sonjay Dutt

Judas Mesias vs. Senshi

Elix Skipper vs. Samoa Joe

Awesome Kong vs. ODB

The Motorcity Machine Guns & Jay Lethal

vs. Team 3D & Johnny Devine i

Double Poll Match. 1 poll has a contract for a tables match,

the other poll has a contract for an Ultimate-X match.

Rellik vs. Black Reign vs. Sharkboy in a Hardcore 3-way match

Kaz vs. AJ Styles

 Ladder Match

TNA Events

TNA’s iMPACT tapings for the month of January are as follows: January 1st, January 8th, January 21st, and January 22nd, 2008.  Source: www.tnawrestlingnews.com

TNA Wrestling has announced that they will hold a live event at The North Folk Theatre in Westbury, Long Island, New York on February 22, 2008. The show will be part of The Westbury Music Fair and will be the first time that the North Folk Theatre has been used for a professional wrestling event. Expect an official announcement shortly. The online pre-sale code to obtain tickets to the event is VIDEO.

In what is interesting to note, Ring of Honor will hold a show in Deer Park, Long Island on the same day. TNA’s event in Westbury is only 15 miles away from Deer Park. Hopefully this is just a strange coincidence and not the beginning of a trend.

Tickets for the ROH event are already on sale, you can obtain tickets at www.ROHWrestling.com

Source: www.rajah.com

I may be a TNA fan but for those of you who must choose between these two at a live event, go to ROH.  You won’t be sorry.

The TNA Bound for Glory DVD is now for sale. You can by it at a discounted price from the Amazon store.

TNA's website has pictures up at TNAWrestling.com for all new lifesize wall graphics featuring TNA stars:

The Icon Sting, The Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe, Mr. and Mrs. Angle

http://www.tnawrestling.com/images/stories/visuwall/visuwall1.jpg

The Phenomenal AJ Styles, Tomko, Shark Boy and Black Machismo Jay Lethal

http://www.tnawrestling.com/images/stories/visuwall/visuwall2.jpg

NEW FOOTAGE FROM THE UPCOMING TNA VIDEO GAME!

Coming in Spring 2008 to major gaming consoles

By Bill Banks

Courtesy of Midway Games, TNAwrestling.com is happy to provide fans with new, exclusive footage from the "making of" the upcoming TNA Video Game!

http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/160/84/

FACTS/FEATURES ON THE UPCOMING TNA VIDEO GAME:

Coming Spring 2008 for PlayStation 2 and 3, XBox 360 Live and the Nintendo Wii!

More than 20 customizable TNA superstars - including Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Christian Cage, Rhino, Abyss and many more!

Build a lifetime of fame through the story mode. Choose a career path by making crucial decisions and teaming up with the right factions.

Custom move sets, wrestling styles and ring attire

Hire a manager to train you via mini-games that allow you to build abilities, unlock new moves and enhance your appearance

Compete in online tournaments!

Other online game modes include Tag Team bouts, Ultimate X, King Of The Mountain, Fatal Four-ways and more!

Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices throughout the world, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for major videogame systems and personal computers. More information about Midway and its products can be found at www.midway.com

Media Quotes about upcoming TNA "iMPACT!" video game:

"The game strikes a very satisfying balance between gameplay, graphics and animation that I’ve not witnessed in the genre for quite some time."

Mike Fahey –Kotaku.com

"For the first time perhaps since WWE chairman Vince McMahon bought WCW in 2001 and effectively killed the competition and its licensed games, there is a new challenger."

Sterling McGarvey – Gamespy.com

"After over two dozen match-ups, it definitely appears TNA Impact! is shaping up nicely. The action is quick and responsive, with very few dull moments in the action, and should find its place among gamers looking for fast paced gameplay."

Nick Chester – Destructoid.com

"After finally having the controllers ripped out of our hands by Midway security, we came away very optimistic. When you combine a team experienced in developing wild sports titles with the TNA brand, you end up with a game that has a big opportunity to mix up the wrestling genre, which has become set in its ways in recent years."

Bob McTague – 1up.com

"After having seen actual gameplay--and tried the game for ourselves--we're happy to report that, yes, the game's pace is nice and quick, and, yes, those character models look just as good as the trailer indicates."

Brian Ekberg – Gamespot.com

“Pretty damn good for a game that’s only a little more than half finished”

Matt Griffin - UGO.com

Final Resolution Pay Per View Coming in January 2008

Likely matches for TNA's Final Resolution PPV

Steve Gerweck, December 11 2007 

www.gerweck.net

Unofficial Matches:

Kurt Angle vs. Christian Cage for the TNA title

Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong for the Women's title

Abyss vs. Judas Mesias

Possibly Booker T vs. Robert Roode

(source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

TNA Talent Events

For some great action photos of some of your favorite TNA stars, including Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, Low-Ki (TNA’s Senshi) and AJ Styles and Eric Young, visit IWC’s (International Wrestling Cartel – an Indy promotion): http://www.iwcwrestling.com/index2.html

The Zero-One Max promotion announced today that Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin will face Ikuto Hidaka and Dick Togo for the NWA International Lightweight Tag Team titles on January 1, 2008 at Korakuen Hall.

Scheduled for the January 4, 2008 New Japan Tokyo Dome event that will feature TNA talent to be edited down to a one-hour special on Spike TV as follows:

TNA World Champion Kurt Angle vs. Yuji Nagata for Angle's IWGP title

IWGP Tag Team Champions Giant Bernard (aka A-Train) & Travis Tomko vs. The Steiners

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Wataru Inoue vs. Christopher Daniels

Manabu Nakanishi vs. Abyss

Togi Makabe & Toru Yano vs. Team 3D

Milano Connection AT, Minoru & Prince Devitt vs. Christian Cage, AJ Styles & Petey Williams

NOTE: I believe the original plan was to have a “special” with footage from the Mexico tour TNA had announced. The Mexico tour was scrapped due to low ticket sales and it appears the Japan show is the replacement special.

The Final Resolution 2008 DVD will be released on March 11, 2008.

Solowrestling announces that Booker T and Sharmell,  Raven and Vampiro will be present in NWE Spanish tour on April 19 in Madrid and 20 in Bilbao, Bpain. More big names are coming, more information in www.solowrestling.com. NOTE: Vampiro has stated he will not be in the tour.  He is retired from wrestling.

TNA’s Kurt Angle and referee Rudy Charles will be featured on the next season of Pros vs. Joes on Spike TV. The season was filmed two months ago. Angle is already featured in advertisements promoting the upcoming series

Where Are They Now

Bill Parkman also passed this along: This message was posted earlier on the Myspace bulletins via Jake Roberts' myspace account. Dec 13, 2007 10:59 AM - Subject: Statement on Jake Roberts - Body: To answer many of your questions, yes, the rumors are true ... Jake Roberts entered rehab on Monday, Dec. 10th. Obviously, Jake wanted his whereabouts kept private and confidential. We were shocked and disturbed to see that this information was sadly and unfortunately leaked. With that said, now all we ask is that you keep Jake Roberts in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Jake B (for Jake Roberts, Shannon, Viper & Ben). Source: ProWrestlingFans. As far as the information being leaked, I understand why Jake might feel his privacy was invaded. However, if the information being made public makes another substance abuser decide if Jake can do it, they can do it, then I’m all for it.

The recently released Brooke Adams from Extreme Expose stated on her MySpace page that she would be posing for Playboy, and would end up in TNA. Source: ProWrestlingFans.

Recent photo of former TNA Knockout Jackie Gayda.

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9964/jackiehaas13lp8.jpg

Shane Douglas came out of hibernation at last Saturday's IWC show in Elizabeth, NJ. He gave one of his patented, long-winded, "shoot-like" promos, this time ripping on TNA, Dixie Carter and Vince McMahon. He also ripped on TNA booker/writer Dutch Mantel, complaining about his comedy booking in front of the crowd. He said the best idea Mantel could come up with was Eric Young wearing a chicken suit. Douglas said 53 of his closest friends are now dead and that Vince McMahon has done nothing to help things or make the schedule better. The Indy promoter originally brought Douglas to the show to do angle with one of the promotion's wrestlers. However, the Indy wrestler he was supposed to be feuding with, Bubba the Bulldog, put Douglas over for all he'd done the business after Douglas' promo. The whole locker room then came out and applauded Douglas. TNA booked Samoa Joe & Eric Young on the same show, and TNA typically hates stuff this, so it could affect future relations between them and the Indy promotion. Source: Rajah

 

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