wrestling The Big Wrestling Thread!

[MightyJordan]

[Gio Takahashi]

UPDATE: Bruce Prichard is officially gone from TNA. TNA released Prichard, who was Senior Vice President of Programming & Talent Relations, today. As previously reported, there were several issues with Prichard including his stalling out contract negotiations to the point that some, such as Drew Hankinson and RVD, had expired.

Also officially released was D?Lo Brown, who had been an agent with the the company since 2009 and was also in charge of the Gutcheck tryouts.

ORIGINAL: Bruce Prichard may become a casualty of TNA?s cost-cutting. Sources report that as the company restructures itself, they have been asking office personnel to restructure their deals. Prichard was asked to do so and has reportedly rejected that request and his days are said to be numbered in the company as a result.

TNA?s agents were also asked to do so and some within TNA say that shortly after D-Lo agreed to a per-night agreement, he was fired.

More as we get it.

http://www.wzronline.com/wrestling-news/bruce-prichard-d-lo-brown-gone-from-tna.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

This is good news for TNA. Bruce Prichard has been the person responsible for a lot of problem within TNA, including almost losing Bobby Roode, as well as the reason why the Knockout Division has been in shamble.

[MightyJordan]

^ I'm not gonna celebrate just yet until we find out who his replacement is. Vince Russo hasn't done anything wrestling-related since he left TNA (hopefully he's retired), Jim Cornette's taken a break from wrestling (but they probably wouldn't touch him as he loves to burn bridges), and Eric Bischoff's busy with other projects. So provided Russo is definitely out of wrestling, it does look promising, but for all we know, Hogan could take the spot and give himself creative control like back in WCW, and we all know how well that turned out.  :rolleyes:

 

And D.O.C.'s left TNA as well...

 

Javascript is not enabled or refresh the page to view.

Click here to view the Tweet

 

TNA released Tara as a cost-cutting move. Regarding Doc's release, his contract negotiations went on too long and his deal expired. Doc had been figured into creative plans with an eventual babyface turn.

Doc's departure is being blamed on Bruce Prichard, head of Creative and Talent Relations.

 

Regarding Rob Van Dam's release earlier this year, one source claimed to PWInsider that RVD stopped getting his phone calls returned by TNA officials.

 

Tara was also apparently far and away the highest paid Knockout in TNA and the decision was made to shift that money elsewhere.

 

More TNA releases are expected and sources insist to PWInsider that they will continue to change various things in the company.

 

Prichard does it once again.

[Kriz]

MITB was pretty good, Raw was entertaining the other night also :) Loving the Wyatt family, breath of fresh air!

[Rappy Veteran]

While it seems unlikely that Steve Austin will ever return to WWE for a final match, WWE remains hopeful that he will receive medical clearance at some point, and if he's interested, the company would want him for WrestleMania 30. An idea has been pitched that would see Austin vs Triple H at the big PPV, and the bout would be for control of WWE. Austin would represent Vince McMahon in the match.

[MightyJordan]

[MightyJordan]

[Rappy Veteran]

As we have been reporting the past few weeks, there have been major backstage issues in TNA with talent being paid late, and it's being said that even Hulk Hogan has been subject to late pay by TNA.

According to reports, several TNA talents have been sending out feelers via their WWE friends to see if the company would be interested in bringing them in.

[MightyJordan]

^ Ruh roh, mass exodus on standby!

 

If it happens though, most of them will probably end up in ROH rather than WWE.

[Rappy Veteran]

^ Ruh roh, mass exodus on standby!

 

If it happens though, most of them will probably end up in ROH rather than WWE.

Depends who they are really, WWE could certainly find a use for Bobby Roode, Austin Aries and Chris Sabin

[LOC Veteran]

Some adult language in here, but an AWESOME interview with Mark Henry from the HOT 97 radio station in NY (at least, HOT 97 was always the NY one I thought of...) about everything from his start in wrestling, how much of a wrestling fan he was before he got into the biz (he was a big fan) and of course Owen Hart. Also, why John Cena doesn't suck. It's an hour + long, but a really good listen. Much respect to Mark Henry before this, but even more now.

 

[MightyJordan]

According to The Wrestling Observer, it is currently costing TNA approximately $600,000 per taping to film Impact Wrestling on the road, and that large expense is the primary reason why TNA is facing financial problems right now, and as a result has had to cut numerous contracts recently.

 

TNA President Dixie Carter recently said in an interview that if TNA had taken Impact on the road in earlier years it could have risked the future of the company, however the decision to do it now hasn't really paid off as there has been no significant increase in ratings or revenue.

 

Currently, TNA has made a long term commitment to taping Impact on the road, and even if the company were to decide to return to taping the show in Orlando, FL, the Impact Zone is unavailable as Universal Studios has a new tenant occupying the soundstage.

[Rappy Veteran]

[Rappy Veteran]

[Rappy Veteran]

Javascript is not enabled or refresh the page to view.

Click here to view the Tweet

[MightyJordan]

^ Hmm, reminds me of the Intercontinental Championship, which coincidentally has roughly the same standing in WWE as the X Division title does in TNA.

[Rappy Veteran]

Javascript is not enabled or refresh the page to view.

Click here to view the Tweet

[MightyJordan]

^ Unfortunately, it's just the game. He signed a deal with 2K, not WWE. No TV appearances planned, either. :/ http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/275251-update-on-ultimate-warrior-in-wwe-2k14-who-did-he-sign-a-deal-with-will-he-appear-on-wwe-tv

[MightyJordan]

[MightyJordan]

[Rappy Veteran]

Javascript is not enabled or refresh the page to view.

Click here to view the Tweet

[Rappy Veteran]

[Rappy Veteran]

[Rappy Veteran]

[MightyJordan]

 

Another potentially embarrassing story for TNA Wrestling this weekend, as fans sending in reports from Girardeau, MO reveal the brand new world champion, Chris Sabin, wasn't even booked to wrestle, following some rather ambiguous "paperwork issues" claimed by the company. 

 

According to one source, who spent nearly $70 on a "V.I.P. experience" that should have granted him front row seats and an exclusive behind the scenes meet-and-greet, "there was no organization whatsoever throughout the night when it came to lines". Apparently, whatever paperwork holding up the organization kept them so busy, the fans waiting for a 5:30PM autograph signing were delayed a full hour without any indication from TNA as to the problem.

 

"Five-thirty came around, and nothing. No doors opening, no nothing. Some people were pulling on the doors, some voicing their displeasure. It was a hot, and stuffy day to begin with, everyone growing more frustrated by the minute. One woman got so sick from the heat and waiting, that she threw up a good amount."

 

After waiting in the heat, the many disappointed fans stuck in line were then told that five TNA wrestlers were unable to compete - the list includes: world champion Chris Sabin, Gail Kim, Brooke Tessmacher, Wes Briscoe and Garrett Bischoff.

 

TNA apparently spent the final hour before the opening bell re-tooling the night's script, as only eight wrestlers were left to perform at the company's first ever show in Girardeau, MO. As we detailed in our match results from this weekend's event, half of the remaining stars worked double duty to make up for the lack of talent. 

 

They did attempt to make up for all the dissatisfaction, however, offering special deals at the merch tables (described as "less than tempting"). The exclusive meet-and-greet was pushed back until after the show, and was made open to everyone who purchased a ticket to the night's event, no matter the price level. Those who bought the special V.I.P. package were instead offered a free in-ring picture with Jeff Hardy as well, although these incentives would cause even more chaos.

 

"Fans could pay $20 to get a picture with Jeff Hardy as well - The VIP customers who shelled out almost $70 and were guaranteed first dibs at the Meet-and-Greet were being pushed back for people who were paying on the spot," said our source. "I spent near two hours before the show to meet these wrestlers, and was forced to wait behind people who didn't have the VIP package."

 

Backstage, most of the wrestlers who performed stuck around to sign autographs and meet with the fans; some happy to be meeting their heroes, other frustrated by the long waits and disorganization. One person attending the show was actually laughed at by a TNA employee when he asked where the lines began for autographs.

 

"I felt really bad for everyone who tried to make sense of all the chaos ... I saw people who had waited fifteen minutes for an autograph get pushed aside for people who just walked up. It was disappointing to say the least."