– There are already plans for a sixth Fast and Furious movie, which will likely see The Rock return to the franchise. Fast Five premiers in theaters next weekend.
– Former WWE announcer and current ESPN news correspondent Jonathan Coachman has contacted The Rock and said that he may be at RAW next Monday (5/2) from Miami.
– In an interesting bit of trivia … the WWE Championship ladder match at at Extreme Rules between Christian and Alberto Del Rio is believed to be only the second time in company history where a match guarantees that someone will become World Champion for the first time. In the rare cases when there’s a vacated title on the line, at least one of the contenders has been WWE champion before. The only other WWE match when two superstars battled for a vacant WWE championship was on March 27th, 1988 – when Randy Savage defeated Ted DiBiase in the title tournament finals at WrestleMania 4.
– Jim Ross’ BBQ sauce business seems to be doing well since WWE’s shop website started carrying the products as Ross noted on Twitter this week that their online business is up almost 200% from last year. WWE’s shop website takes domestic and international orders from fans and then places the order with JR. JR noted that they just received their biggest order ever from WWE’s shop website.
– It’s been determined that Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord that causes pressure on the spinal cord) is what ultimately led to the end of Edge’s WWE career. The condition is usually genetic and typically does not cause problems for people until they reach their 70’s. It is what also ended Steve Austin’s career.
With spinal stenosis, the risk of paralysis from taking a bad bump is high – and any type of regular in-ring performing would accelerate potential health problems and adversely affect the performer’s overall qualify of life.
For both Edge and Steve Austin, there is risk of their health problems worsening even after they leave wrestling – but retirement will hoefully allow both men to recover enough to live normal lives.
– Jim Ross wrote the following on Twitter this week after being with Awesome Kong in Las Vegas for the CAC Reunion convention:
“Awesome Kong can become a big star in the near future. Lots of charisma. Natural badass. I believe in her.”
– Speaking of Kong, word coming out of WWE is that even though they trademarked the name Kharma, she may not use it after all. The name she will use in WWE is still up int he air.
WWE is taping Friday’s episode of Smackdown today from the London O2 Arena in London, England.
* Michael Cole comes out to occupy The Cole Mine which features a royal looking gold and burgundy throne by it. Josh Mathews and Booker T follow.
* The World Heavyweight Championship belt is suspended above the ring.
* The show opens with a Edge video package followed by a rundown of the Extreme Rules lineup. On tonight’s show, Big Show & Kane will face Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel for the WWE Tag Team Championship and Kofi Kingston will face Wade Barrett for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
* Sir Michael Cole comes out to the British National Anthem to a ton of heat.
* Cody Rhodes comes out with three men wearing suits with one pushing a shopping cart. In the cart there are paper bags. Rhodes instructs his posse to hand out the bags to the crowd because they all need them. Everyone on the front row is given a brown paper back to put over their head. Rhodes cuts a heel promo which leads to his Wrestlemania XXVII rematch with Rey Mysterio.
* Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio. Winner via reversed powerbomb into a sit down pin, Rey Mysterio. After the match, Rhodes beats him down and they brawl on the outside. Cody finally gets the upper hand after a lengthy battle and puts a paper bag over Mysterio’s head.
* Michael Cole introduces Jack Swagger after footage from his Knighting Ceremony from this week’s WWE Raw airs.
* Jack Swagger vs. Trent Barreta. Swagger makes him tap out in the ankle lock in a squash match.
* Big Show and Kane are shown walking backstage to the ring as their match for the WWE Tag Team Championship is up next.
* The new Awesome Kong vignette airs.
* For the WWE Tag Team Championship, Big Show & Kane vs. Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel w/Ezekiel Jackson. Winners & new WWE Tag Team Champions, Big Show & Kane. They got the win after miss-communication from The Corre.
* Backstage, The Corre argue and Ezekiel Jackson blames Heath Slater. Slater pushes Justin Gabriel.* Drew McIntyre vs. Chris Masters. Winner after hitting the Future Shock DDT, Drew McIntyre
* Wade Barrett b. Kofi Kingston to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Ezekiel Jackson came out with Barrett but when he nearly cost him the match by accidentally clotheslining him, Barrett banished him to backstage.
* Alberto Del Rio hosts a retirement party for Edge. He comes out and unveils his gifts to the Rated R Superstar… A grandfather clock, adult diapers and the love of his life Lita. Out comes a very obese lady posing as Lita. Del Rio also says he got him a new ride. Ricardo Rodriguez drives a mobile scooter out to an Edge-like entrance. Del Rio tells Brodus Clay to attack Edge (who is on the ramp) but as Clay goes up the ramp Christian is hiding under the ring with a ladder. He attacks Clay on the ramp then takes out Del Rio. Christian gets in the ring with the ladder and grabs the World Heavyweight Championship from up top. Edge applauds from the ramp to end the show.
— Jay Lethal, who was released yesterday by TNA Wrestling, commented on his departure from the organization on Twitter.
“While I am sad that my time with TNA has ended, I am looking forward to this next chapter of my career. Oooooh yeahh! Now taking booking.”
Also note, Lethal celebrates his 26th birthday today.
— Orlando Jordan stated on Twitter that the date numerous websites have listed as his birth date — July 10, 1971 — is wrong as today is his birthday and he was born in 1974.
“There’s no better time than today 2 clear up a rumor or 2 that’s been set in stone all over the internet web sites..Lol TODAY is my BIRTHDAY!
“On wiki and the Imdb it says that my Bday is July 10th 1971.. Well no I was born APRIL 21st 1974 which is funny cuz no1 ever believes me WTF
“So! thats the last time I’ll evr say my birthday publicly again lol and the other thing lmao YES I DO DATE CHICKS… BECAUSE IM BISEXUAL!!!
“How is it that some random person can put false facts in sites but when my manager has official documents they still won’t change!!
“lmao of course I’ll date a dude! Wat am I going to do today well right now I’m going to put in few hours of GOD OF WAR 3 sick ass game yo!!”
— Vickie Guerrero introduced the “new and improved” Dolph Ziggler on Monday’s episode of Raw as he unveiled a freshly trimmed head of brown hair just before facing Evan Bourne.
The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion is not thrilled with his new ‘do as he wrote the following on his personal Facebook account the morning after the show: “I feel like ‘bender’ from Futurama, when they chopped off his antenna….”
— Tyler Reks is in action on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars as he faces JTG. Also featured is Maryse vs. Natalya and Mark Henry vs. Ted DiBiase.
The episode is available here.
— Alicia Fox has replaced Melina on the last leg of Raw’s ongoing tour of Europe. The brand’s tour concludes Saturday in Doha, Qatar.
UFC pre-show Fight Day Live is back on Saturday, April 21 at 6pm ET/3pm PT.
Fight Day Live hosts Dave Farra and Megan Olivi will get you prepared for one of the most anticipated match ups of the year, when bitter rivals Jon Jones and Rashad Evans meet for the light heavyweight championship.
Chael Sonnen will be live on the Fight Day set to talk his new book and his big fight with Anderson Silva. Strikeforce heavyweight title contender Daniel Cormier will also stop by to chat about his fight with Josh Barnett in May.
And as always, our expert panel will break down the entire UFC 145 card and have you in the know by the time the pay per view starts.
According to ESPN the Magazine, UFC star Brock Lesnar made $5.3 million from fighting in 2010.
Lesnar is getting paid huge money to crush his opponents in the ring – and that’s because when he’s fighting on a UFC event, it’s virtually guaranteed to be a blockbuster success.
In 2010, Brock Lesnar joined Mike Tyson as the only fighters to ever draw over 1 million pay-per-view buys in a single year. Tyson actually did it three times in 1996.
While Lesnar’s heavyweight annual income looks great, it pales in comparison to boxing champion Manny Pacquiao who took home a staggering $32 million in 2010.
On the surface, this looks boxing look like a far more lucrative sport for potential fighters to get into. By that standard, guys like Lesnar, Georges St. Pierre should be making much more than Lesnar made in 2010. MMA promoters argue that MMA has dozens of fighters that make over $500,000 a year, while there are only a handful of boxers making big money.
Credit to John Benoit and PWInsider.com for the following TNA iMPACT! tapings results, set to air on Thursday, April 28th on Spike:
* Impact opens with Karen and Jeff Jarrett coming out. Karen demands all the Knockouts come out as she is sure one of them was Kurt Angle’s mistress. She goes down the Knockouts one by one and comes down to Velvet Sky. She rips apart Sky, who goes to slap Karen but Jeff ends up taking the slap. Winter and Angelina Love go after Velvet…
* Angelina Love defeated Velvet Sky via submission when Sky passed out to a Love submission. Love was doing the trance deal where nothing hurt her when Sky was on the offense.
* Anarquia defeated Chris Sabin. Mexican America worked over Sabin until the returning Alex Shelley made the save. Mexican America noted they were going to celebrate Cinco del Mayo next week.
* Gunner defeated Christopher Daniels.
* Backstage Sting destroys Mr. Anderson’s truck and leaves his bat in the windshield before leaving.
* Crimson vs. Samoa Joe ended in a no contest when Abyss attacked Crimson and laid him out with a Black Hole Slam.
* New TNA Knockouts champion Mickie James cuts a promo dedicating her title win to the fans and thanks them for their support.
* TNA champion Sting defeated Bully Ray and Mr. Anderson. Great match with all three getting a decent amount of offense in. Bully Ray played his ultra heel great in this match. Bully used a steel pipe on Sting after a ref bump. AJ Styles came out and attacked Ray. Sting used the pipe on Ray and scored the pin.
TNA World champion Sting was recently interviewed by SportsVibe.co.uk and spoke about a number of topics, including how he got into the wrestling business, the origins of the Sting character and much more. Here are some highlights of what Sting said about:
Whether Vince McMahon Has Ever Tried To Sign Him:
“Yeah, several times, and I was close to signing every single time and probably closer than ever this last go earlier in the year in January it was very, very close.”
“However the rest is history and I have always chosen to stay put. All those years throughout the nineties especially and the early 2000’s I always believed Vince McMahon wanted me more to undercut WCW than he did me as a talent. I was real close but never did do it.”
When asked about what potential dream matches still exist for him, Sting named the Undertaker.
What He Thought About Hogan & Bischoff Coming To TNA:
“I had some concerns as we know what happened with WCW. Towards the end I think there were too many hidden agendas and selfish motives by too many people that ultimately ended WCW.”
“You had two of the big powerhouse names that helped WCW become what it was and then you throw me into the mix as well, and it could be a really good thing or it could be an absolute disaster.”
“However the rest is history and I have always chosen to stay put. All those years throughout the nineties especially and the early 2000’s I always believed Vince McMahon wanted me more to undercut WCW than he did me as a talent. I was real close but never did do it.”
His 88 Second Match with Jeff Hardy at Victory Road 2010:
“There is no other way of saying it but there is a scar there and it’s going to hurt. You had PPV (Pay Per View) companies, you had wrestling fans that paid to see something and they didn’t get to see a match. To cut a long story short it just sucks, and I can’t pretend it doesn’t.
“I was sick the way it happened the way it did, but it is something that had to happen and the only thing to do now is move forward.”
— Multiple sources have confirmed that Jay Lethal has parted ways with TNA Wrestling. His profile was removed from the company’s website Wednesday night.
In a new bit of information, many within TNA are saying that organization officials opted to release the former X Division Champion.
— Abyss will be undergoing dental surgery to repair the bottom row of his teeth, which were badly damaged during a misplaced springboard kick from Rob Van Dam at Tuesday’s iMPACT! taping
Abyss received a lot of praise within the company for working Wednesday’s taping despite being in severe pain.
— Brother Devon, Eric Young, Orlando Jordan and Tommy Dreamer vs. Douglas Williams, Magnus, Murphy and Rob Terry was taped for the May 3 episode of TNA Xplosion on Challenge TV last night in Orlando, Florida.
Monday Night Mayhem with Stacy Keibler
Hosts: The Big Mosh and “The Chairman of the Board” Todd Vincent
Report by Paterson.
Airs every Monday at 7:00 P.M. (EST)
Show available at MondayNightMayhem.com.
Her thoughts on guest-starring on this week’s episode of WWE Tough Enough & whether or not she sees this as the first step in returning to the WWE in the near future: “For right now, this is something I did with them, but I don’t have any plans for wrestling officially and coming back & being on the road every week. It was so great to be back in the family, and seeing everybody, and to watch these kids. It’s really fun to see them so eager to become a part of this business.”
The experience of working again & teaming up with Trish Stratus on Tough Enough: “It was so fun, and it brought back a lot of memories. It’s been a couple of years since we worked together. We spent so much time on the road together traveling & working. It was just really great to catch up and just have fun with each other.”
How she defines the era she was a part of in the WWE Divas division & why she would “like to do something together” in the future with her fellow WWE Diva alumni: “I feel like we were all part of an era that was a really special time in wrestling, and I feel so lucky to be there then. It was just so much fun, with excitement & energy going on. With Vince buying WCW, it was an important transitional moment for the business, and I’m very lucky I was a part of it. I saw Torrie (Wilson) the other day, and I think we would all like to do something together. It would be so fun to feel that energy, and be together, and do something fun.”
Kevin Nash has updated his blog on Tumblr.com with an update on the heath of his longtime friend, Scott Hall. We wish there was better news to report here ..
According to Nash, Scott Hall is going through a very dark period, one of his worst ever. Nash explains that Scott’s problems are a lot deeper than substance abuse and asks people to see Hall as a human being like all of us, with feelings and problems that might ultimately take him down for good.
Here’s part of what Nash wrote:
“Over the last few weeks, since the horrifying New England appearance of Scott Hall, my Twitter page has blown up with plea’s to help Scott. First of all, nobody has to ASK me to help Scott Hall. I consider Scott like a brother. He’s much more than a friend. I have spent more time with Scott Hall in the last 18 years than I have with my wife in the 23 years we’ve been married. We have no secrets between each other. This is ‘real life’. Nobody knows what Scott has gone thru since early childhood to what he has gone thru up unto this point, except for me. I can tell you Scott Hall has neither a drug or alcohol addiction, Scott’s problem is he suffer’s from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Drugs and alcohol aren’t the problem, to Scott they are the solution. He is a fragile and broken human being, not a race horse that you take a whip to to perform. Scott Hall is in bad shape and each time I talk to him I feel it may be the last. It’s gotten to the point where I save his voice mails, much like I would’ve saved Andrew’s (Test), because I knew sometimes when I heard his message it could be the last. The media will want to blame wrestling when Scott passes. Scott was broken way before he broke into the ring for the first time.”
To read the full blog, visit Tumblr.com. Please keep Scott Hall in your thoughts and let’s pray he pulls through this.
It has been confirmed that Jay Lethal has parted ways with TNA Wrestling. His profile was removed from the organization’s website Wednesday night.
Details regarding his departure have yet to be disclosed.
Lethal’s departure surprised some people within TNA. One company source who was on hand for this week’s television tapings was not aware Lethal was leaving the company.
Lethal worked Tuesday’s iMPACT! television taping after competing in the X Division Ultimate Xscape Match at TNA Lockdown.
Lethal has been sparingly featured since dropping the X Division Championship to Kazarian in January at TNA Genesis.
Former WWE star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman feels John Morrison should apologize for his unprofessional conduct towards Trish Stratus at WrestleMania XXVII.
“I think he should be ashamed,” Waltman wrote on Twitter. “I think he owes Trish a public apology, and deserves to be in doghouse. Total bullshit.”
He continued, “I lost a lot of respect for Morrison over that. He may not care, but he f’n should.”
The former WWE Women’s Champion stated during a radio interview two weeks ago that Morrison gave her the cold shoulder during their post-match celebration. She also said that he rejected her suggestions during pre-match planning.
Company sources indicate that he and/or his girlfriend Melina believe Stratus took the WrestleMania spot away from the Diva regular, hence Morrison’s behavior towards her.
Those on Morrison’s side say as he was laying out the match with Stratus, she was insisting that her trademark spots be featured, which led to his resentment. The complaint was that Stratus wanted to be the “star” of the match when its intention was for Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi to garner mainstream attention for WWE. Also, the match was also under extreme time constraints and Morrison should have been treated as a rising star as opposed to “just another guy.”
While Stratus is generally regarded well behind the scenes, she has had her share of detractors over the years. She was not popular during her early years in the promotion and there have been complaints of her being arrogant, self-centered and phony. Former WWE announcer Kevin Kelly, who worked with Stratus from 2000 to 2003, was particularly negative towards her during a 2007 “shoot” interview and alleged that she engaged in a sexual relationship with Vince McMahon. Stratus also received a lot of heat from WWE officials for refusing to participate in the 25-Diva Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXV. She reportedly declined working the match because she was not guaranteed she would win. More recently, Stratus drew the ire of numerous Divas as they believe she “took their spots” at WrestleMania XXVII.
Seldom seen WWE talent Harry Smith (a/k/a David Hart Smith) apparently has plans to cross over from professional wrestling to mixed martial arts. His mother, Diana Smith, wrote on Twitter that he plans on following his father and grandfather’s trail as a shoot fighter.
“My son Harry Smith is quite the shoot fighter, does everyone know that?” she wrote. “He is following in his dad Davey’s and Grandfather Stu’s footsteps.”
Diana also believes he is good enough to compete in a premiere mixed martial arts organization today.
“I actually think my son Harry Smith could compete in Pride, MMA/UFC now as a high level wrestler, he’s honestly that good! Ask Josh Barnett.”
Barnett, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, said last year in an interview that he has been training the WWE Superstar in catch wrestling. Smith can be seen sparring with Barnett in the DVD seminar W.A.R. Catch Wrestling: Lessons in Catch-As-Catch-Can with Billy Robinson.
CagesideSeats.com reported last month that Smith became an assistant coach in the Scientific Wrestling certification program under Catch-As-Catch-Can-Wrestling legend Billy Robinson. Smith earned the designation after logging over 100 hours of training with Robinson and receiving his approval to teach his concepts.
Robinson stated to Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer that if he personally trained Smith for 18 months, he could win the UFC Heavyweight Championship—he was that impressed by him in the time they sparred.
Smith, however, remains under contract to WWE, which prohibits him from joining a mixed martial arts organization. While no indication has been given that the third generation wrestler is leaving WWE, his future prospects with the entertainment empire appear grim as he finds himself in a bigger rut than his 2007-2008 stint on the main roster where he primarily competed on WWE Heat. Sans an appearance in the 22-Man Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXVII, Smith has not competed in over two months; his last match occurred on the February 17, 2011 episode of WWE Superstars. Even further, Smith has not competed in a match on Monday Night Raw in nearly six months. He last appeared on the program on December 6, 2010, which saw him lose to former tag team partner Tyson Kidd in a blow off match. He was then laid out by Kidd’s short-lived bodyguard Jackson Andrews.
— Sangriento, a masked wrestler hailing from Tijuana, Mexico, made his TNA Wrestling debut on last night’s episode of TNA Xplosion on Challenge TV.
Sangriento participated in a Three-Way Match against Chris Sabin and Jay Lethal. The masked luchador pinned Lethal after hitting the former X Division Champion with a springboard cutter.
Jeremy Borash stated over commentary that Sangriento means “Blood Sport” in Spanish.
— A doctor has diagnosed Jeff Jarrett with badly bruised ribs, not broken as originally stated by Kurt Angle on Twitter following their “Ultra Male Rules” Two Out Of Three Falls Steel Cage Match at TNA Lockdown.
— TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Mickie James is advertised to appear for Covey Promotions’ “All or Nothing 5” event on Saturday, April 30 in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia (located at BSHS Gym, 149 Concorde Avenue, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia 25411).
— Britani Knight, a women’s wrestler from the UK, is denying online reports that she has signed a contract with WWE.
Knight wrote on her Facebook page today: “Woahhh thanks the congratulations but i dont even know whats going on yet! Hopefully though guys fingers crossed!”
Knight, who currently reigns as the Pro-Wrestling: EVE Champion, participated in a tryout before WWE officials this week. She also had a tryout with WWE last November.
— WWE Monday Night Raw on July 18, 2011 will be held at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
— WWE is holding a live event on July 22, 2011 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Tickets go on sale May 21, 2011.
— Representatives of Jim Neidhart state that the former WWE star was not arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on April 18.
Neidhart realized he missed a date in traffic court on charges of driving without a license and operating an unregistered vehicle. He turned himself in to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and made a desk appearance. He then paid the $750 surety bond and was released. He was not incarcerated or taken into police custody.
— Ring of Honor has announced that ROH World Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin will defend their belts against Jay and Mark Briscoe on May 7 in Toronto, Ontario in a rematch from 9th Anniversary Show. (Tag Title Defense Set For Toronto!)
— Former WWE star Johnny Stamboli celebrates his 34th birthday today.
Jeff Hardy’s court case on drug possession charges was postponed again today after his lawyer asked for time to have a drug treatment assessment done.
Jim Van Camp told Senior Resident Judge James Webb this was only an option under consideration.
“There has been no assessment yet,” Van Camp said. “Becky Carlson … needs some time.”
Carlson, the district administrator for the 19-B J.D. Sentencing Services Program, will form her own judgement as to whether Hardy needs drug dependent therapy, get another view from an expert and recommend a treatment plan. She said “that takes time.”
The case has been continued until June 27.
On September 11, 2009 Hardy was arrested on charges of trafficking in controlled prescription pills and possession of anabolic steroids, after a search of his house yielded 262 Vicodin prescription pills, 180 soma prescription pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids, a residual amount of powder cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. A Moore County grand jury later indicted Hardy.
The cases against Hardy have been continued several times, including three times this year. He has remained free on bail pending his day in court.
— Kurt Angle, who was found apparently intoxicated behind the wheel of his vehicle in a ditch in Grand Forks, North Dakota on March 25, has been sentenced for reckless driving.
The TNA Wrestling Superstar was sentenced Friday to a year’s probation, fines, and a 10 day jail sentence, which was suspended.
— Sunday’s TNA Lockdown pay-per-view at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio drew 3,500 to 4,000 fans. It was speculated that the event drew 6,000 fans, but F4WOnline.com confirmed the number as incorrect.
— Brother Devon and Tommy Dreamer vs. The British Invasion was taped Tuesday in Orlando, Florida for next week’s episode of TNA Xplosion.
The UK Sun has published a new interview with WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart, which you can read here in its entirety. One of the more interesting quotes was about WWE eliminating the word “wrestling” from the company name and on television.
Hart explains that no matter what you call the company – WWE will always be about wrestling – and takes a swipe at Hulk Hogan in the process (it’s hard to resist):
“I’m kind of scratching my head about that. I don’t know that it makes any difference. Wrestling is wrestling. Call it whatever name you want, it’s still wrestling. I think WWE is synonymous with wrestling. If WWE doesn’t stand for World Wrestling Entertainment then what does it stand for?”
“It may be a case of Vince trying to monopolise wrestling even more than he has. I think a lot of the wrestlers today, judging by the styles they have, they are wrestlers. They are not bodybuilders or powerlifters or strongmen like in the days of Hulk Hogan, where it was more the look. The young stars today don’t want to be Hulk Hogan. They want to be Bret Hart or Shawn Michaels.
John Morrison was interviewed by The Miami Herald this week. Here are some highlights of what Morrison said about:
Recent Changes to His Character: “I think the main reason people take me more seriously now is my beard. I think that is the thing that has made the John Morrison character turn the corner and become looked at as a title contender. As someone people see or could see me in the ring with John Cena, The Rock and Steve Austin, even The Miz. I can’t believe I just said that, but The Miz is there. He is the WWE champion. All those guys were or are at the top for a reason. The more serious attitude, the aggression and the anger is something Johnny Nitro never had and John Morrison had been lacking prior to this year. I think I tapped into some very real things as would any method actor would.”
Climing The Ranks in WWE: “When you get into sports entertainment, your goal is to become WWE champion. How do you get that? That is like asking someone how to get a promotion. There are a lot of answers, but there is no clear cut, ‘This is what you got to do.’
“It’s frustrating. I see myself as a perfectionist, an almost obsessive compulsive workout fiend. The things I can control I give a hundred percent all the time. I workout, pay attention and study. I do all that stuff. To not be able to achieve the level of success I want, dreamed of as a kid and feel I deserve is part of what really led me to show that aggressive streak and show that anger and frustration in the ring. It’s something that is real. It’s something that is really happening to me.”
WrestleMania 28 from Miami: “I love Miami. I’m stoked that we are going there next year. If we are not going to be in Los Angeles, we may as well be in Miami. I love the sun. Next year I hope and expect to be main eventing WrestleMania. I want to come in as WWE champion or world champion or be involved in a WWE championship or world championship match.”
Credit to John Benoit and PWInsider.com for this live report:
TNA iMPACT! (Airing This Thursday)
*Impact with a AJ Styles promo, coming down from the roof. He talks about Lockdown and asks Bully Ray for a match now in the cage. Bully Ray comes out cuts a long promo on AJ from the stage, teases getting in the cage until Daniels comes down and throws Bully in the cage and locks it. AJ beats up Bully and teases jumping off the top of the cage. Bully escapes.
*Gunner and Rob Terry come out and wants to face Beer Money in the cage for the TNA Tag Team champions and of course Beer Money accepts.
*Hulk Hogan cut a promo saying RVD missed his chance to join Immortal. Rob Van Dam comes out and they go back and forth talking about respect. Sting comes out and they announce it’s Sting vs. RVD at Sacrifice Sting said the Network gives him a clause that allows him to pick his challengers. Hogan got angry and said he’s going to find out who is running the Network soon enough.
*Later tonight, it will be Matt Hardy vs. Sting and Rob Van Dam vs. Abyss with Hogan in Abyss’ corner.
*TNA Knockout Tag Team champions Rosita & Sarita defeated Madison Rayne & Tara. Rayne and Tara were fighting amongst themselves.
*The Jarretts come out. Jeff is going to crown Karen the Queen of the Mountain since Jeff is the King. The fans chant “Sloppy seconds.” Kurt Angle comes out and Angleslams Jeff through a chair. He tells Karen it will never be over.
*Abyss defeated RVD after Hulk Hogan interfered. Crimson made the save.
*Matt Morgan came out and cut a promo about wanting a World title shot. Scott Steiner comes out and wants a title shot as well. Matt proposes a match and Steiner accepts, then beats up Morgan.
*TNA champion Sting defeated Matt Hardy. Post match, Anderson hit the Mic Check on both and cut a promo on Sting to end the show.
