Awesome Kong is telling friends within the wrestling industry that TNA has agreed to release her from her contract, which coincides with her recent post on Twitter where she thanked Dixie Carter and the company for wishing her the best in her future endeavors.
Kong reportedly asked for a modest pay increase in the neighborhood of fifteen percent, which the company refused. Despite her high placement in the Knockouts division, it’s been estimated that she makes between $400 and $700 per appearance.
One of the potential holdups for release was said to be that company officials considered sitting her out until her contract expired over a year from now, but they have apparently opted to grant the release.
Kong remains listed on the company website as a wrestler and one-half of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions. In a possible spoiler, the buzz backstage is that TNA intends to do something with the Knockouts Tag Titles on tonight’s show.
— The WWE website announced this afternoon that David Hasselhoff will guest host the Apr. 12 Raw emanating from London.
“When Raw hops the pond and crashes London a week after WrestleMania, David Hasselhoff promises to host a jolly, good show. An accomplished actor and international singing sensation, “The Hoff” will take a break from his European tour to belt out the praises of WWE.”
WWE has not yet announced who will guest host the Apr. 5 episode of Raw.
— WWE will be holding Raw house shows at the Ryogoku Kokugikan (aka Sumo Hall) in Tokyo, Japan on August 20th & 21st, 2010 at 6:30 PM. Tickets for both events go on sale May 1st, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his official blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Some highlights:
Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon: “We have many emailers that are curious to see what kind of match Bret Hart has at WM26 vs. Mr. McMahon. I am extremely anxious to see what I perceive will be Bret’s last ever venture into the ring as a competitor. This is a big moment for this fan of the Hitman I can assure you. I don’t expect to see any thing resembling a traditional wrestling match but I do expect this encounter to be one of the most dramatic and memorable moments on the PPV and will be a lasting memory of Wrestlemania. Not knowing what to expect makes the anticipation for this bout even better for me but for those who love to read the “spoilers” not knowing how this long awaited endeavor will go is driving some nuts. ”
WWE RAW vs. TNA iMPACT!: “I have to see a “wrestling war” to believe it but if that theory does come to fruition then I will be the first to admit mistakenly saying that no such “war” will happen. There is a huge difference in being owned by a media conglomerate such as WCW Monday Nitro being owned by Time Warner and being owned by a private entity that is in the pro wrestling biz. Plus, Spike TV doesn’t have the chops right now that TNT had back in the day of Monday Nitro. The lay of the TV landscape is totally different that it was in the mid to late 90’s.”
— Sheamus is featured on the promotional poster for WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view. The event will be taking place on Apr. 25 at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Tickets went on sale this past Saturday.
— Reigning Divas Champion Maryse has launched an official website at www.FrenchKissMaryse.com. The site features a blog, photo gallery, online store and much more. In a blog posted last week, she revealed what’s in her purse.
“what do i always have in my purse? hum, my blackberry tour, my wallet of course, my check book, my keys, my passport, a caramel chocolat candy bar, sunglasses, my Itouch, and my phone charger, a pink lip gloss…….pretty much……be sexy.”
In a funny note, her name is misspelled in the site’s header banner.
— Last week’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America scored a 0.94 cable rating with 965,000 viewers. The midnight replay did a 0.18 rating and 162,000 viewers. (source: PWInsider.com)
— Melina has begun tweeting and noted that she is four months away from being able to return to the ring from the ACL tear she suffered in late December. This would put her on schedule for a July comeback.
— Paul Burchill’s untimely release from WWE ten days ago led to much head shaking within the company as he’s a respected in-ring performer and not considered trouble in the locker room, reports the Pro Wrestling Torch. Burchill has told friends he plans on continuing wrestling. The timing of his release is especially rough as friends say he and his wife are expecting a child later this year.
— WWE Monday Night Raw on June 28th, 2010 will be held at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tickets go on sale March 20th, 2010 at 10 a.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
— Melina has begun tweeting and noted that she is four months away from being able to return to the ring from the ACL tear she suffered in late December. This would put her on schedule for a July comeback.
— Paul Burchill’s untimely release from WWE ten days ago led to much head shaking within the company as he’s a respected in-ring performer and not considered trouble in the locker room, reports the Pro Wrestling Torch. Burchill has told friends he plans on continuing wrestling. The timing of his release is especially rough as friends say he and his wife are expecting a child later this year.
— WWE Monday Night Raw on June 28th, 2010 will be held at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tickets go on sale March 20th, 2010 at 10 a.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
Monday night marks the beginning of a new era in the pro wrestling industry. For the first time since 2001, World Wrestling Entertainment and Monday Night RAW will have direct competition every week.
With all the news that came out last week, here’s an updated preview for the first night of the NEW Monday Night War:
WWE RAW Preview:
– Magician Criss Angel hosts the show.
– In a tune up match to get him ready for his showdown with Bret Hart at WrestleMania, WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon will face John Cena in a singles match.
– Randy Orton will face Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase in a handicap match.
TNA iMPACT! Preview
– Hulk Hogan & Abyss vs. Ric Flair & AJ Styles is the big match TNA is advertising.
– TNA has been teasing a number of big surprises for iMPACT! It’s been virtually confirmed at this point that Rob Van Dam will be appearing.
Aside from the TNA debut of Rob Van Dam, it’s also rumored that Jeff Hardy will make an appearance with longtime frined and recently-signed Shannon Moore.
–First Five Minutes: TNA has posted a “viral†video teasing something big will be happening during the first 5 minutes of TNA’s live iMPACT! this Monday night on Spike. The video shows Jeremy Borash in the restroom receiving a phone call from Dixie Carter about the “news.†The news then circulates around the entire company office before, well, we won’t spoil it .. You can see the video here.
– Kevin Nash and Eric Young will confront Scott Hall and Sean Waltman. In his latest “Last Call” video from the weekend, Hall says he and Waltman will be wrestling Nash and Young, but the match hasn’t been confirmed by TNA. (VIDEO)
– Sting has signed a new contract and will be be appearing on iMPACT! Dixie Carter posted a message on Twitter that she spoke to Sting, who told her he “wouldn’t miss Mondays live show for anything” and “Can’t wait to work w/Hulk.â€
– TNA will debut a new theme song for iMPACT! During the post-game iMPACT! show on TNA’s website, Jeremy Borash said he’s heard the song and loves it.
– Spike TV has granted TNA an 8-minute overrun for next week’s show, so the show will go head-to-head with RAW for over 2 hours.
Monday night marks the beginning of a new era in the pro wrestling industry. For the first time since 2001, World Wrestling Entertainment and Monday Night RAW will have direct competition every week.
With all the news that came out last week, here’s an updated preview for the first night of the NEW Monday Night War:
WWE RAW Preview:
– Magician Criss Angel hosts the show.
– In a tune up match to get him ready for his showdown with Bret Hart at WrestleMania, WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon will face John Cena in a singles match.
– Randy Orton will face Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase in a handicap match.
TNA iMPACT! Preview
– Hulk Hogan & Abyss vs. Ric Flair & AJ Styles is the big match TNA is advertising.
– TNA has been teasing a number of big surprises for iMPACT! It’s been virtually confirmed at this point that Rob Van Dam will be appearing.
Aside from the TNA debut of Rob Van Dam, it’s also rumored that Jeff Hardy will make an appearance with longtime frined and recently-signed Shannon Moore.
–First Five Minutes: TNA has posted a “viral†video teasing something big will be happening during the first 5 minutes of TNA’s live iMPACT! this Monday night on Spike. The video shows Jeremy Borash in the restroom receiving a phone call from Dixie Carter about the “news.†The news then circulates around the entire company office before, well, we won’t spoil it .. You can see the video here.
– Kevin Nash and Eric Young will confront Scott Hall and Sean Waltman. In his latest “Last Call” video from the weekend, Hall says he and Waltman will be wrestling Nash and Young, but the match hasn’t been confirmed by TNA. (VIDEO)
– Sting has signed a new contract and will be be appearing on iMPACT! Dixie Carter posted a message on Twitter that she spoke to Sting, who told her he “wouldn’t miss Mondays live show for anything” and “Can’t wait to work w/Hulk.â€
– TNA will debut a new theme song for iMPACT! During the post-game iMPACT! show on TNA’s website, Jeremy Borash said he’s heard the song and loves it.
– Spike TV has granted TNA an 8-minute overrun for next week’s show, so the show will go head-to-head with RAW for over 2 hours.
Thoughts on Big Gay Dave Batista, a weak Bret Hart angle, RVD coming to TNA, Umaga’s cause of death, Triple H’s achy quad and Criss Angel making Michael Cole disappear!
In an interview with TulsaWorld.com, former WWE & WCW star Bill Goldberg squashes rumors that he is headed to TNA Wrestling. Hulk Hogan recently said that Goldberg was negotiating with TNA, but Goldberg says Hogan’s full of it.
“Pardon my French, but Hulk Hogan’s full of crap because I was never in negotiations with TNA,” Goldberg said.
“Do I see myself getting back in the wrestling ring? I’m 43 years old. Do I want to be Ric Flair? Do I want to be Hulk Hogan? In the twilight of my life, do I want to be running around in my underwear trying to injure people? Absolutely not. It was a stage in my life, a wonderful stage,” he added. “Do I ever see it happening again? You never say never, but I don’t see it likely by any stretch of the imagination.”
In an interview with TulsaWorld.com, former WWE & WCW star Bill Goldberg squashes rumors that he is headed to TNA Wrestling. Hulk Hogan recently said that Goldberg was negotiating with TNA, but Goldberg says Hogan’s full of it.
“Pardon my French, but Hulk Hogan’s full of crap because I was never in negotiations with TNA,” Goldberg said.
“Do I see myself getting back in the wrestling ring? I’m 43 years old. Do I want to be Ric Flair? Do I want to be Hulk Hogan? In the twilight of my life, do I want to be running around in my underwear trying to injure people? Absolutely not. It was a stage in my life, a wonderful stage,” he added. “Do I ever see it happening again? You never say never, but I don’t see it likely by any stretch of the imagination.”
Matt Hardy has posted a new Youtube video saying that he’s passionate about everything he does and people who criticize him will have to deal with “The Zombie” …
— With Destination X two weeks away, only three matches have been announced thus far – Ultimate X with no participants revealed yet, Matt Morgan and Hernandez vs. Beer Money, Inc. for the TNA Tag Team Championship, and Kazarian vs. Doug Williams for the X Division Championship.
— According to the official website of Sarita (sarah.newscott.com), the TNA Knockout will be heading to Tokyo, Japan in a few weeks for a brief wrestling tour. She will be wrestling on Fuka’s retirement show at Korakuen Hall on Mar. 28 and then again on Apr. 3 at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring.
— Click here to view an amusing commercial promoting TNA’s Live Online Pre & Post Show with SoCal Val and Jeremy Borash.
— According to WWE’s Q1 2010 performance report (see PDF file here), the 2010 Royal Rumble garnered approximately 462,000 pay-per-view buys. This figure is up from last year’s show, which drew 450,000 buys.
— The word going around Florida Championship Wrestling is that Jillian Beyor has already parted ways with WWE. Beyor, who was named Playboy‘s 2008 Model of the Year and was one of ten finalists for Playboy‘s 2009 Model of the Year, signed on as a developmental talent with WWE this past November.
— TNA has posted a “viral” video teasing something big will be happening during the first 5 minutes of TNA’s live iMPACT! this Monday night on Spike. The video shows Jeremy Borash in the restroom receiving a phone call from Dixie Carter about the “news.” The news then circulates around the entire company office before, well, we won’t spoil it .. Check it out:
— Today (3/6) is TNA wrestler Mr. Anderson’s birthday, who turns 34 years old.
— You can follow former TNA Knockout Karen Angle on Twitter. Jeremy Borash is following her, which should confirm the legitimacy of the account.
— TNA has posted a “viral” video teasing something big will be happening during the first 5 minutes of TNA’s live iMPACT! this Monday night on Spike. The video shows Jeremy Borash in the restroom receiving a phone call from Dixie Carter about the “news.” The news then circulates around the entire company office before, well, we won’t spoil it .. Check it out:
— Today (3/6) is TNA wrestler Mr. Anderson’s birthday, who turns 34 years old.
— You can follow former TNA Knockout Karen Angle on Twitter. Jeremy Borash is following her, which should confirm the legitimacy of the account.
— When asked on Twitter whether rumors of her daughter Stephanie being pregnant were true, Linda McMahon confirmed the rumor as true.
“Yes it’s true and the family is very excited,” Linda wrote.
Apparently, the rumor was in light of photographs that had surfaced online of Stephanie looking visibly pregnant while attending her mother’s GOP Senate candidates debate this past week.
McMahon already has two daughters; Aurora Rose Levesque (born July 24, 2006) and Murphy Claire (born July 28, 2008).
— Tiffany, Caylen Croft, Trent Barreta and Goldust are now apart of SmackDown as their respective bios have been moved to the SmackDown Superstars section on WWE.com. Talent yet to be assigned to a new brand include Abraham Washington, Byron Saxton, Tony Atlas, Tyler Reks, Vance Archer and Vladimir Kozlov.
— Tickets for next month’s WWE pay-per-view, Extreme Rules, went on sale this morning via Ticketmaster. The event will be held Sunday, Apr. 25, 2010 at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
— For his newly launched web show Last Call With Scott Hall, the former Intercontinental Champion has posted video footage shot backstage at TNA’s last television taping in Orlando. Hall and Sean Waltman can be seen clowning around shooting footage of various TNA personnel such as Ric Flair, Vince Russo, Christopher Daniels and “The Beautiful People.” You can view the footage at his newly launched YouTube channel.
— TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles and “The Beautiful People” member Velvet Sky headline tonight’s Purks International Championship Wrestling show in Cedartown, Georgia. “The Phenomenal One” is advertised to wrestle former tag partner Air Paris, who briefly appeared in World Championship Wrestling. Meanwhile, Sky will take on former WWE developmental wrestler Tracy Taylor. Also scheduled to appear is former TNA wrestler David Young. Click here for event information.
— Desmond Wolfe is advertised to appear at tonight’s MCW Championship Wrestling show in Alliance, Ohio. Visit www.mcwpro.com for more information.
— Wrestlicious announced the following updated list of main events for the month of March on Wrestlicious: Takedown:
March 8th (Bite TV) and March 10th (Mav TV)
~ Autumn Frost vs. Paige Webb
*March 15th (Bite TV) and March 17th (Mav TV)
~ “Team Beautiful” Lacey Von Erich and Amber Lively vs “Ghouls Gone Wild” Draculetta and White Magic
* March 22nd (Bite TV) and March 24th (Mav TV)
~ Sierra Sheraton vs. Marley Sebastian
* March 29th (Bite TV) and March 31st (Mav TV)
~ The Naughty Girls vs. Paige Webb & The Southern Belle
The wrestler known as Paige Webb is none other than WWE Diva and Straight Edge Society member Serena. Her character’s background in Wrestlicious is that she runs a website.
The wrestler known as Amber Lively is actually TNA Knockout Madison Rayne performing a cheerleader gimmick. In a coincidence, she was paired with fellow “Beautiful People” member Lacey Von Erich long before the two joined forces in TNA as these initial episodes of Wrestlicious: Takedown were originally taped in August of 2008.
Another TNA Knockout appears on Wrestlicious: Takedown in the form of Daffney, as she performed under the name Draculetta. Her tag partner, White Magic, is semi-retired independent women’s wrestler Lacey of Ring of Honor fame.
Finally, Marley Sebastian is Daizee Haze while The Southern Belle is Amber O’Neal.
— In an interview with www.RedHotDivas.com, former TNA Knockout Jenna Morasca spoke out on her decision to enter the wrestling industry, who she remains friends with from her time in TNA, which wrestler she enjoyed working with the most, if she ever plans on returning to the industry, and much more. You can read the interview in its entirety at the following link.
— TNA Knockouts Angelina Love and SoCal Val are advertised to appear at tonight’s Women Superstars Uncensored Third Anniversary Show in Union City, New Jersey. Love will be competing against Sassy Stephanie while Val will be handling ring announcing duties. Also scheduled to appear is recently released TNA Knockout Traci Brooks. Click here for more information.
— Wrestlicious announced the following updated list of main events for the month of March on Wrestlicious: Takedown:
March 8th (Bite TV) and March 10th (Mav TV)
~ Autumn Frost vs. Paige Webb
*March 15th (Bite TV) and March 17th (Mav TV)
~ “Team Beautiful” Lacey Von Erich and Amber Lively vs “Ghouls Gone Wild” Draculetta and White Magic
* March 22nd (Bite TV) and March 24th (Mav TV)
~ Sierra Sheraton vs. Marley Sebastian
* March 29th (Bite TV) and March 31st (Mav TV)
~ The Naughty Girls vs. Paige Webb & The Southern Belle
The wrestler known as Paige Webb is none other than WWE Diva and Straight Edge Society member Serena. Her character’s background in Wrestlicious is that she runs a website.
The wrestler known as Amber Lively is actually TNA Knockout Madison Rayne performing a cheerleader gimmick. In a coincidence, she was paired with fellow “Beautiful People” member Lacey Von Erich long before the two joined forces in TNA as these initial episodes of Wrestlicious: Takedown were originally taped in August of 2008.
Another TNA Knockout appears on Wrestlicious: Takedown in the form of Daffney, as she performed under the name Draculetta. Her tag partner, White Magic, is semi-retired independent women’s wrestler Lacey of Ring of Honor fame.
Finally, Marley Sebastian is Daizee Haze while The Southern Belle is Amber O’Neal.
— In an interview with www.RedHotDivas.com, former TNA Knockout Jenna Morasca spoke out on her decision to enter the wrestling industry, who she remains friends with from her time in TNA, which wrestler she enjoyed working with the most, if she ever plans on returning to the industry, and much more. You can read the interview in its entirety at the following link.
— TNA Knockouts Angelina Love and SoCal Val are advertised to appear at tonight’s Women Superstars Uncensored Third Anniversary Show in Union City, New Jersey. Love will be competing against Sassy Stephanie while Val will be handling ring announcing duties. Also scheduled to appear is recently released TNA Knockout Traci Brooks. Click here for more information.
— The final iMPACT! on Thursday nights averaged a 1.14 cable rating off of hours of 1.26 and 1.02, on par with last week’s number. That’s a crap rating heading into the first Monday show, but even more alarming is that viewers tuned out virtually every single quarter hour throughout the show. iMPACT! opened with a strong 1.31 quarter-hour and dropped consistently throughout the remainder of the broadcast, with the final quarter-hour drawing a show-low 0.93 rating. From the start of the show to its end, iMPACT! lost 30 percent of its audience.
— It was reported this past week that Roxxi has once again parted ways with TNA. It should be noted that wasn’t released from the organization as she was never under contract to begin with. She was brought back last year on a per-per-appearance basis. Furthermore, she was not removed from TNA website’s roster page as she was never actually listed in the first place.
In related news, Roxxi announced yesterday on her Facebook account that she would not be returning to active wrestling at tonight’s Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU) event in Union City, New Jersey as she is still nursing a broken ankle which hasn’t fully healed.
— Taylor Wilde is auctioning off the teal ring-worn outfit worn at No Surrender where alongside Sarita, were crowned the first TNA Knockout Tag Team Champions. You can view the auction at the following link. Bidding ends Saturday evening.
— The final iMPACT! on Thursday nights averaged a 1.14 cable rating off of hours of 1.26 and 1.02, on par with last week’s number. That’s a crap rating heading into the first Monday show, but even more alarming is that viewers tuned out virtually every single quarter hour throughout the show. iMPACT! opened with a strong 1.31 quarter-hour and dropped consistently throughout the remainder of the broadcast, with the final quarter-hour drawing a show-low 0.93 rating. From the start of the show to its end, iMPACT! lost 30 percent of its audience.
— It was reported this past week that Roxxi has once again parted ways with TNA. It should be noted that wasn’t released from the organization as she was never under contract to begin with. She was brought back last year on a per-per-appearance basis. Furthermore, she was not removed from TNA website’s roster page as she was never actually listed in the first place.
In related news, Roxxi announced yesterday on her Facebook account that she would not be returning to active wrestling at tonight’s Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU) event in Union City, New Jersey as she is still nursing a broken ankle which hasn’t fully healed.
— Taylor Wilde is auctioning off the teal ring-worn outfit worn at No Surrender where alongside Sarita, were crowned the first TNA Knockout Tag Team Champions. You can view the auction at the following link. Bidding ends Saturday evening.
Promoting TNA’s move to Monday nights, WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart appeared on Boomer and Carton in the Morning yesterday morning, a morning drive sports radio program on WFAN in New York City.
During the appearance, Carton recalled being in Florida for the Super Bowl and bumping into Hulk, daughter Brooke, and his 36-year-old girlfriend Jennifer. Carton commented on Hogan’s taste in women with the wrestling legend himself agreeing that at first, it was creepy to date someone who looks similar to his daughter. Hogan then said Brooke was alright with his relationship with Jennifer because she is almost 40.
Carton then claimed he has pitched “a ton of pilots” to Spike and that Hogan could be his first guest.
Following the interview, the show’s producer cracked a joke on Ric Flair getting beaten up by his wife by saying, “To be the Man, you’ve got to beat the man!”
To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here.
