TNA Wrestling News (Page 9)

The Sun in the UK has added an interview with TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter where she discusses TNA's business plans and how they differ from WWE, the "Fire Vince Russo" chants at the Destination X PPV and more.

Here are some highlights:

On her responsibility as TNA President:
"The ultimate responsibility for everything in this company is mine and I take that very seriously. For a lot of our guys this is their livelihood, so I am conscious to make decisions that mean this company is healthy and around decades from now. While we want financial success, at the same time I want TNA to be a completely different kind of wrestling company. We do everything we can to make sure they [talent] are saving for the future and have even brought in financial advisors to help with things like tax."

On TNA's event schedule:
"We work a much lighter schedule than the WWE which allows our wrestlers to protect their bodies and lengthen their careers. A wrestler's career only lasts as long as his or her body does — and that's why I take our guys' health very seriously."

On the "Fire Vince Russo" chants:
"I love the passion of wrestling fans but there is just so much that they get wrong, that they perceive to be one way when it's not. It's interesting that at our last PPV during the Sting v Abyss match they started that chant. First of all that match was something Vince had absolutely nothing to do with. Second of all, it wasn't 120 seconds later that the crowd were jumping up and down screaming 'holy s***' and 'TNA'.

Vince is human, and has one of the best hearts in this business, so I am sure the chants hurt him. They hurt me for him. But it's amazing how off the mark these folks are. One thing they blame him for is that we sometimes try and cram too much into our TV shows, as we only have 42 minutes, but Vince has actually been a big part of helping me slow that down and make positive changes. But the hardcore fans don't see it and there's no telling them any different."

On Bill Goldberg's comments about pay and TNA:
"There is a lot more to being happy and successful than just a pay day. If that's where Mr Goldberg's happiness lies then he is missing the boat on a whole lot of other big issues."

On Kurt Angle's health problems:
"Kurt Angle did have a lot of health problems. But that's because he was not given the time off to rehab. When you're not given that you pop your body full of pain medicine to get by. Then you're not given time off to get off the pain medicine and you get caught in this vicious circle. The only way he could break that was to get out of that environment. Again that's where we differ as a company. I am doing everything in my power to protect Kurt's health and if needs time off then he can take it.

He is pursuing Mixed Martial Arts and I am also supporting him fully in doing that. I am not frightened for our guys to have success outside of the TNA world. My philosophy is that we're all partners and what's good for the wrestlers is ultimately good for TNA."

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net ...

Team Angle are in the ring and Sting has a mic. Sting apologizes for not returning his phone calls, no disrespect, he had to work through a few issues. He just realized that he loves TNA and loves the fact he's part of Team Angle. You have The War Machine, The Killer, The Shooter and the Stinger, Angle needs to give us number five. Kurt Angle says he respects him more than he'll ever know, but right now he can't do that.

He has things to do as a man and come to grips with before he does that. Joe tells Angle that he doesn't believe him anymore. He doesn't like conspiracy theories, but they're heading in one man short. The road to the title for Angle is a lot easier without Sting, Rhino and himself around. Joe, Sting and Rhino stepped up, now it's time for Angle to step up and tell them who their partner is. Angle tells Joe to never question is integrity. He swears on the American flag that by the end of the night there will be five.

In the ring Kevin Nash says there will only be one Black Machismo. Jay Lethal comes to the ring dressed like Macho Man.

Jay Lethal v. Chris Sabin (Non-title)
Lock up, Chris Sabin with a side head lock. Off the ropes, shoulder block sending Machismo down. Machismo jumps, Sabin sets him for the Cradle Shock, Machismo rolls through. Machismo knocks Sabin to the ground and goes up top, double ax handle. Two count. Eye rake by Sabin, elbow by Machismo. Machismo up top, Sabin knocks him down and he racks. Enzugiri by Sabin, Machismo to the ground. Two count. Standing senton by Sabin, two count. Rest hold on the ground with Sabin putting Machismo into a side head lock. Standing up, Machismo with elbows into Sabin, right hands. Sabin off the ropes, Machismo with an elbow, mid ring collision, two count by Machismo. Machismo off the ropes, Sabin slides and knocks him down. Sabin up top, tornado DDT, two count. Machismo into the corner, Sabin tries a big boot, Machismo catches and knocks him back. In the middle, Sabin with a spinning back kick, off the ropes Machismo catches him with The Lethal Combination. Machismo up top, Macho Man Elbow Drop. 1-2-3. Jay "Black Machismo" Lethal wins.

Laticia is backstage with Team Cage. Cage says that Sting resurrected from the dead, again. Cornette sets the new stipulation for Lethal Lockdown, it's going from bad to worse. Styles says it's all business, it's all about the title. They all need to focus on TNA Lockdown, they've got the advantage. Cage and Styles argue over if Cage knew that already. On the advice of AJ Styles, they worry about tonight first, then Lockdown. Steiner said and then his title shot. Abyss comes up behind Cage and breathes, Cage asks if he ever washes that thing.

Backstage JB is with Black Machismo and Nash. Nash asks Machismo if he trusts him now, he said yeah. Sonjay comes out dressed like Vinnie Vegas, Sonjay said he's done and they walk away. Eric Young is in a corner, JB goes up to him. Roode comes in and said JB is an idiot. This Sunday night, he's going to prove to Petey that it pays to be Roode. James Storm and Jackie came up during this and said something, but he mumbled like a drunk normally does. Afterwards, Roode came back and told Eric not to move from the corner.

Petey Williams & Gail Kim v. Robert Roode & Miss Jackie Moore w/ Ms. Brooks
Gail Kim attacks Jackie, Petey on Roode. Roode and Jackie into the ropes, both brought down. Roode on the outside, Petey over with a huracanrana. Inside, Gail mounts Jackie and proceeds to ground and pound. Roode in, back drop suplex on Gail Kim. Petey on the apron, up and over grabbing Roode's head, chincracker placing Roode's chin on his knees. Jackie in, rakes Petey's eyes. Roode with a running clothesline turning Petey inside out. Petey delivers hands to Petey in the corner. Quick reversal sending Petey in and back out. Petey charges Roode, spine buster.

Jackie delivering fists to the back of Petey Williams. Roode with a blind tag then an eye rake to Petey. Scoop slam by Roode. A ref was shown helping Gail Kim helped up the ramp. Back in the ring, blows are traded by Roode and Petey. Gail runs back down, dragging Jackie back into the ring. Roode picks Petey up, reversal. Kick to the back of the head, hesitation drop-kick to Roode's back. Tilt-a-whirl reversed, Petey nails a reversed Russian leg sweep. James Storm on the apron, Petey distracted allowing Roode to roll him up for the 1-2-3. Robert Roode and Jackie Moore win.

Post-match Chris Harris comes down and clears the ring before James Storm comes in and chop blocks him down. Eric Young from the back with a chair, attempting to clear the ring himself. Roode gets on the mic and tells Young to put it down or he'll never wrestle again in his life.

In the back, JB is with Christopher Daniels who's carrying the Sting bat. JB asks a few questions about his actions and motives as of late. Daniels presses the bat into JB's throat and pushes him away. LAX come from around the corner holding Runt with his mouth taped shut. They tell JB they couldn't find Team 3D but they found the next best thing: a family member. Tonight, he's going to pay the price. Konnan lifts up his shirt and shows a gun in his pants and they walk off.

Continue Reading...

We're not sure if it helps TNA Wrestling's quest to compete with WWE if the company has to explain the rules of its latest pay-per-view.

But the details of Lockdown are confusing to some. Therefore, the brand's official website has listed them below, along with a video hyping the event:

Team Cage: World Champion Christian Cage, AJ Styles, Scott Steiner, Tomko and Abyss

Team Angle: Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Rhino, Sting and one member to be announced (rumored to be Jeff Jarrett)

LETHAL LOCKDOWN SETUP:

- The bout is contested inside the TNA Six Sides Of Steel cage match
- Once all the team members have entered the ring, the steel roof is lowered trapping everyone inside, beginning the “Lethal Lockdown”.
- The steel roof contains several weapons that each team is free to use once the apparatus is lowered.

LETHAL LOCKDOWN RULES:

- Two members from each team begin the match and battle one-on-one for five minutes
- After five minutes, another team member enters the ring, with a new entrant every two minutes thereafter. It is an all-out brawl - anything goes.
- There are no pinfalls or submissions allowed until the “Lethal Lockdown” begins when the steel roof is lowered.
- After the roof is lowered, teams can use the weapons. The match ends when there is a pin or submission.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR THIS YEAR:

- The winner of the Lethal Lockdown main event (the TNA Wrestling) star who scores the win for their team) will get a shot at the World Title at May’s Sacrifice Pay-Per-View.

The Pro Wrestling Torch is reporting that morale in TNA has started to take a noticeable dip, especially considering how big WrestleMania was this year for WWE.

According to reports, phone conversations among TNA wrestlers and staff seemed to dwell on WrestleMana and how it shows just how far away TNA Wrestling is from being anywhere close to serious competition for WWE on a meaningful scale.

At the same time, many of the TNA "higher-ups" continue to stay upbeat about TNA's future in regards to current TV negotations with Spike TV, announcing more house show events to get the company on the road more often, spreading out its fan base.

• The plan is still for the Voodoo Kin Mafia to take on The Basham Brothers at some point, as they’re still scheduled to be coming into TNA. VKM have also been pushing to work with Serotonin after suggesting that it made sense to work with a tag team already in TNA rather than continuously bringing in “outsiders” for one off matches.

• Another former WWE wrestler whose name has been mentioned in recent weeks is Andrew “Test” Martin. His named was brought up prior to him re-signing with World Wrestling Entertainment last year to be part of the ECW brand, and his name has been mentioned since leaving the company.

• Abyss will be signing at the Deer Park Community Center in Deer Park, New York on Sunday, April 29 from 1.30pm-3.30pm.

On April 15, TNA Wrestling presents its Lockdown pay-per-view. All of the following matches will be inside a Six Sides of Steel Cage:

Lethal Lockdown Match
Kurt Angle & Samoa Joe & Jeff Jarrett & Sting & Rhino vs. NWA champion Christian Cage & Tomko & AJ Styles & Scott Steiner & Abyss

Electrified Cage Match
NWA Tag Team champions LAX vs. Team 3D

TNA X-Division Championship Match
Chris Sabin (c) vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Jay Lethal vs. Alex Shelley vs. Shark Boy

Jerry Lynn vs. Christopher Daniels

Austin Starr vs. Senshi with Bob Backlund as the special referee

Robert Roode vs. Eric Young

Blindfold Match
Chris Harris vs. James Storm

Gail Kim vs. Jackie Moore

• According to reports, wrestlers on the TNA roster do not have a lot of faith in Christian Cage as the World Champion. The widespread feeling among many is that while he is very entertaining on the mic, his value drops the moment he enters the ring. While most, if not everyone agreed that his match with Samoa Joe at Destination X was good, most give credit to Joe and feel they need to see Christian rise to the occasion with another performer before they will give him any credit.

• TNA officials are said to be very interested in signing Rob Van Dam to a deal if he allows his current deal with WWE to expire.

Jeff Jarrett will be making his return to TNA action in time for next month’s Lockdown PPV, where he will be involved in the 10-man Lethal Lockdown main event.

We'll have more as this story develops.

Jim Ross has posted a new blog on his official website.

In regards to a WWE-TNA rivalry, Ross said: "In all due respect to all involved, the good folks at TNA have a few miles to travel before they arrive on the same level as the WWE. The huge misconception here is this: the decision makers at TNA simply need to focus on improving their product and not worry about an imagined war with the WWE.

That is largely what the WWE did during the Monday night wars, which cannot be compared to an updated Monday night war with TNA, in my opinion. This is not a personal attack on TNA or anyone else but the simple fact is most businesses get better when they focus on what they are doing and not what the alleged competitors are up to."

We agree. TNA also has to avoid overpaying for old stars, such as Bill Goldberg. Develop your own talents instead and let word get out about them.

The following report is courtesy of wrestlingmag.com ...

Jim Cornette opened the show in the ring surrounded by the cage. He announced the Lethal Lockdown match, with Kurt Angle and Christian Cage as the captains. It will be similar to Wargame rules, with the match starting one on one, then after two minutes it will be two on one, two on two, etc. Cage protested, only to be drowned out by Cornette, who got his first comeback in months.

AJ Styles came out selling his injuries from the Elevation X match, wearing a neckbrace, using a crutch, etc. He got in the ring, which was still surrounded by a cage, and said the doctor told him his back would never be the same. He teased like he would never be able to wrestle again, and said he wasn’t even able to call his wife to say he won’t be able to put food on the table. So he called Rhino out to call his wife for him.

Crowd was really behind Rhino for the first time since, well, the Vince McMahon interview. Styles kept trying to apologize for the feud starting in the first place. Styles asked him to end the feud. Rhino finally said “It’s over.” They shook hands. Of course, the instant Rhino turned his back, Styles ran over and tried to hit him with the crutch. Rhino caught it, but Styles kicked him low, and started pounding on him. It had the surroundings of a great angle, but again they killed the momentum by going to a commercial. Upon return, Rhino made his own comeback and started throwing Styles into the cage. Christian Cage ran in and nailed Rhino with a crutch. The heels put the boots to him until Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle did a run-in. Styles ran off, while Cage was briefly trapped until he climbed over the cage. Don West pointed out that Cage couldn’t do that at Lockdown, since there will be a roof over the cage. This was Joe’s only appearance on the show.

Chris Sabin was playing Playstation 2 in the locker room. Bob Backland was doing step aerobics, and they did a nonsensical interview. Total waste of time that could have easily gone to matches.

Kevin Nash (with Sonjay Dutt) introduced the new theme music for Jay Lethal. It’s basically a hip-hop version of Pomp and Circumstance (or Randy Savage’s theme song).

1. Jay Lethal defeated Jerry Lynn and Kaz in an X-Division 3-way. They opened with near falls. Kaz did a leg lariat on Lynn and a drop kick on Lethal for a near fall. Lethal tried a springboard dropkick on Kaz, only to catch him and laid up out with a nice Ace Crusher for a two count. Lynn made the save. Lynn hit a reverse DDT on Kaz, and got a near fall before Lethal made the save. Kaz did a hell of a spot with a reverse rolling cradle on Lynn, and before bridging back laid out Lethal with a northern lights suplex to cover both men for a two count. Crowd loved that one. Lethal hit a sliding drop kick on Kaz. Lynn hit a rana on Lethal for a two count. Lethal went for the cradle pile driver, but Kaz kicked him in the head. Lethal then hit a combo Flatliner/backbreaker combination, called the Lethal Combination for the pin in 2:36. Christopher Daniels ran in a nailed Lethal with a brutal baseball shot to the chin. Lynn and Kaz also got nailed. Good match, though short.

A.J. Styles and Christian Cage did an interview with Jeremy Borash. Cage announced Styles would be the first member of his Lethal Lockdown team. Styles said he thought Cage would give him a title match if he aligned himself with Cage, who tried to change the subject. Cage said by the end of the night, he would announce the third member.

2. LAX and Alex Shelley defeated Team 3-D in 6:38. Konnan was on commentary, and was very entertaining as always. Brother Ray’s right arm was bandaged, and appeared to be banged up. That left D-Von to make the hot tag in the match. Aside from a brief mention by Konnan, Brother Runt’s Bad Santa drinking gimmick was ignored, which was for the better. D-Von opened by Thesz pressing Hernandez and giving him the old Steve Austin right hands. Ray and D-Von gave Hernandez a double shoulder block. Hernandez clotheslined Ray, and started building heat on Ray’s left arm. It sounded like the crowd continued to make derogatory chants toward Ray, though they were edited off television. Ray turned the tables on Homicide and gave him a side slam, and tagged Runt, who delivered a double stomp off the top. After several clotheslines, Runt was tripped by Shelley and got rammed into the railing. During a commercial, Runt got pounded on the outside with rail and chair shots. Shelley hit a frog splash, while Hernandez nailed a 300-pound splash for a near fall before D-Von made the save.

Hernandez collided with Shelley, which allowed Runt to make the hot tag to D-Von (which the cameras missed). The difference between Ray and D-Von was really noticeable here, as D-Von didn’t have the intensity that Ray usually provides. He hit a neckbreaker on Hernandez, a choke slam on Homicide, and a running splash on Shelly. Hernandez pressed slammed Runt onto Johnny Rodz at ringside, who made a horrible catch and Runt landed badly on the ramp. Ray and D-Von did Wazzup on Shelley. D-Von and Rodz got the tables, and Shelley wound up taking the 3-D through it. Machete ran out and started arguing with Rodz, I guess to distract the referee. Then Hernandez schoolboyed D-Von for the pin. Pretty good match, but not much of a finish.

Backstage, Martyr was screaming at Raven. Kaz was tied up, and Raven was about to order Martyr to cane him. When Martyr refused, Raven slapped him relentlessly. Martyr walked off. Then he ordered Havoc to cane Kaz, who refused. Raven responded by caning Havoc.

Eric Young was cleaning out a toilet because Robert Roode ordered him to. Jeremy Borash was trying to get him out of his contract with Roode. Borash brought up Young’s friend, and perhaps he could get him out. Hopefully, that will build toward something.

Show ended with Styles and Cage in the ring. Cage introduced Abyss as the third member of his team. Abyss came out, but refused to enter the ring. Sting came out and said Abyss didn’t want to be on anyone’s team except his own. They teased like no one was sure which side Abyss was on. Jim Cornette came out and announced Cage and Styles would face Sting and Abyss next week. Sting and Abyss charged the ring and cleaned house on the heels to end the show.