-- It has been confirmed that the main event of next month's Hard Justice will feature TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn. It is unknown at this time whether the title will be on the line.
-- While Tommy Dreamer has been contacting ECW alumni to work Hard Justice, Director of Talent Relations Terry Taylor has handled the financial negotiations. The rumored payoff for non-contracted performers is said to range from $500 to $1,000.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
**SPOILER** - 2 Former ECW Stars Set For Hard Justice
Johnny Swinger will be appearing at next month's Hard Justice pay-per-view. He is expected to reunite with former tag team partner Simon Diamond in a tag match. Pat 'Simon Diamond' Kenney is an agent in TNA.
Diamond and Swinger were a most notably seen in ECW as well as TNA Wrestling. During their time in ECW, they were managed by Dawn Marie. The duo have won both the NWA World Tag Team Championship and the MPW Tag Team Championship.
No word on whether Dawn Marie will appear at the PPV as of this writing. Stay tuned as we get more.
Diamond and Swinger were a most notably seen in ECW as well as TNA Wrestling. During their time in ECW, they were managed by Dawn Marie. The duo have won both the NWA World Tag Team Championship and the MPW Tag Team Championship.
No word on whether Dawn Marie will appear at the PPV as of this writing. Stay tuned as we get more.
Former ECW Star Possibly At Hard Justice - Who Is It?
-- TNA Wrestling officials have discussed using former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Justin Credible at next month's Hard Justice pay-per-view. However, it has not been confirmed that he will be working the show, or if he has even been contacted to appear. Credible briefly appeared with TNA in 2003, forming a stable with several other ECW alumni and reviving his feud with Jerry Lyn
TNA Declines Signing Mia Yim
-- TNA Wrestling officials have declined signing Washington D.C. based independent women's wrestler Mia Yim to a contract following her tryout match with Taylor Wilde before an iMPACT! television taping last month. The reason cited was that there were no open spots for her in the company's Knockouts division. "No open spots for me at TNA," Yim wrote on her Twitter account. "It's ok, keep an eye out for me because I am just getting started.…Who knows what will happen in the future."
More Live Notes & **SPOILERS** From SD! Last Night
After the tag match there still seemed to be some tension between Christian & Hardy. Christian offered his to Hardy but Matt seemed reluctant but shakes Christian's hand.
Jack Swagger is in the back & Josh Matthews said that Swagger was fortunate to have a shot at the #1 contender shot. Swagger says that he was robbed by Mysterio and says that he will dominate and shatter Rey's ankle, then at SummerSlam put Kane in the same place as his father, the hospital.
LayCool is shown celebrating in the back. They exchange gifts with each other. Teddy Long shows up and says congratulations for now and that next week Layla will defend against Tiffany.
Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler is next. Kofi attempts Trouble In Paradise but Dolph moves out of the way. Vickie distracts Kofi and Ziggler applies the sleeper on Kofi for the win.
Big Show is shown in the back watching Rosa Mendes jumping rope.
Big Show vs. Luke Gallows is announced but The Mystery Man enters the ring to wrestle. Show unmasks The Mystery Man to reveal Joey Mercury and puts the mask on him and then Chokeslams him for the pin.
"Dashing" Cody Rhodes grooming tips is next. Cody says that he is showing us one step closer to becoming "Dashing".
Rey is shown in the back and Josh Matthews interviews him about his match tonight. Rey says that he is feeling a lot of pain. He says that he wouldn't have done the same thing that Kane did but he is not him. Rey says that he has to beat Swagger twice tonight.
Alberto Del Rio video is next. He says that he takes great pride in himself unlike everyone else.
Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Rey wins the 1st fall by DQ after Swagger applies the ankle lock and Rey gets to the ropes but will not break the hold on the 5 count. Swagger misses Rey and then goes full steam into the corner head first. Rey knocks Swagger into the ropes and attempts the 619. Swagger catches Rey and applies the ankle lock for the win in the 2nd fall. Swagger hits a Dr. Bomb on Rey on the outside. Swagger does the running second rope springboard twice but only gets a 2 count. Swagger tries it again but gets a boot. Swagger attempts a Dr. Bomb but Rey gets out of the hold and applies a crucifix roll for the pin in the 3rd fall. Swagger attempts the ankle lock on Rey again but Kane runs out and chokeslams Swagger, Kane then confronts Rey and helps him up from the mat and raises his hand up. Kane then goes after Rey and tries to chokeslam him but Rey slips out and hits a 619 on Kane,.
Teddy Long then comes out to announce the dark match main event as Kane vs. The Big Show in a cage match for the World Heavyweight Title. Kane wins after he escapes through the cage door.
Jack Swagger is in the back & Josh Matthews said that Swagger was fortunate to have a shot at the #1 contender shot. Swagger says that he was robbed by Mysterio and says that he will dominate and shatter Rey's ankle, then at SummerSlam put Kane in the same place as his father, the hospital.
LayCool is shown celebrating in the back. They exchange gifts with each other. Teddy Long shows up and says congratulations for now and that next week Layla will defend against Tiffany.
Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler is next. Kofi attempts Trouble In Paradise but Dolph moves out of the way. Vickie distracts Kofi and Ziggler applies the sleeper on Kofi for the win.
Big Show is shown in the back watching Rosa Mendes jumping rope.
Big Show vs. Luke Gallows is announced but The Mystery Man enters the ring to wrestle. Show unmasks The Mystery Man to reveal Joey Mercury and puts the mask on him and then Chokeslams him for the pin.
"Dashing" Cody Rhodes grooming tips is next. Cody says that he is showing us one step closer to becoming "Dashing".
Rey is shown in the back and Josh Matthews interviews him about his match tonight. Rey says that he is feeling a lot of pain. He says that he wouldn't have done the same thing that Kane did but he is not him. Rey says that he has to beat Swagger twice tonight.
Alberto Del Rio video is next. He says that he takes great pride in himself unlike everyone else.
Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger in a 2 out of 3 falls match. Rey wins the 1st fall by DQ after Swagger applies the ankle lock and Rey gets to the ropes but will not break the hold on the 5 count. Swagger misses Rey and then goes full steam into the corner head first. Rey knocks Swagger into the ropes and attempts the 619. Swagger catches Rey and applies the ankle lock for the win in the 2nd fall. Swagger hits a Dr. Bomb on Rey on the outside. Swagger does the running second rope springboard twice but only gets a 2 count. Swagger tries it again but gets a boot. Swagger attempts a Dr. Bomb but Rey gets out of the hold and applies a crucifix roll for the pin in the 3rd fall. Swagger attempts the ankle lock on Rey again but Kane runs out and chokeslams Swagger, Kane then confronts Rey and helps him up from the mat and raises his hand up. Kane then goes after Rey and tries to chokeslam him but Rey slips out and hits a 619 on Kane,.
Teddy Long then comes out to announce the dark match main event as Kane vs. The Big Show in a cage match for the World Heavyweight Title. Kane wins after he escapes through the cage door.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Smackdown Taping Results ** SPOILERS **
WWE SmackDown (Airing Friday):
* This week's SmackDown starts with Kane cutting a promo about Money In The Bank. Kane pumps the crowd about becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion.
* Jack Swagger vs. Rey Mysterio in a two out of three falls match is announced for later.
* Drew McIntyre & Cody Rhodes b. Matt Hardy & Christian
- Hardy & Christian lose after a miscommunication. After the match they exchange a handshake and a hug.
* Jack Swagger cuts a promo backstage. He says he'll beat Rey Mysterio tonight and then make sure Kane is in the hospital after SummerSlam.
* Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger in a number one contenders match is announced for SummerSlam.
* Laycool is backstage with Teddy Long. It is announced that Layla will defend the Women's Championship next week against Tiffany.
* Dolph Ziggler w/Vickie Guerrero b. Kofi Kingston w/his rookie
- Ziggler gets the win with a sleeper hold. He dominates Kofi throughout.
* Big Show is shown walking backstage.
* Big Show b. A Masked Man w/SES
- Gallows is replaced with a masked man. Big Show unmasks him and gets the win. The unmasked man is Joey Mercury.
* Dashing Rhodes' segment on grooming is shown in a pre-made video.
* Rey Mysterio does a backstage segment.
* An Alberto Del Rio video segment is shown.
* Rey Mysterio b. Jack Swagger in a two out of three falls match
- Rey wins the first fall via DQ when Swagger fails to release an ankle lock despite Rey having the ropes. Jack wins the second fall with the ankle lock when he caught Rey's legs when he was attempting the 619. Rey wins the third fall with a roll-up pin.
Rey Mysterio will face Kane for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam.
After the match Swagger attacks Rey but Kane comes out and connects with a chokeslam. Kane goes back into the ring to attack Rey but gets a 619. Rey leaves Kane in the ring to end this week's edition of SmackDown.
* This week's SmackDown starts with Kane cutting a promo about Money In The Bank. Kane pumps the crowd about becoming the new World Heavyweight Champion.
* Jack Swagger vs. Rey Mysterio in a two out of three falls match is announced for later.
* Drew McIntyre & Cody Rhodes b. Matt Hardy & Christian
- Hardy & Christian lose after a miscommunication. After the match they exchange a handshake and a hug.
* Jack Swagger cuts a promo backstage. He says he'll beat Rey Mysterio tonight and then make sure Kane is in the hospital after SummerSlam.
* Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger in a number one contenders match is announced for SummerSlam.
* Laycool is backstage with Teddy Long. It is announced that Layla will defend the Women's Championship next week against Tiffany.
* Dolph Ziggler w/Vickie Guerrero b. Kofi Kingston w/his rookie
- Ziggler gets the win with a sleeper hold. He dominates Kofi throughout.
* Big Show is shown walking backstage.
* Big Show b. A Masked Man w/SES
- Gallows is replaced with a masked man. Big Show unmasks him and gets the win. The unmasked man is Joey Mercury.
* Dashing Rhodes' segment on grooming is shown in a pre-made video.
* Rey Mysterio does a backstage segment.
* An Alberto Del Rio video segment is shown.
* Rey Mysterio b. Jack Swagger in a two out of three falls match
- Rey wins the first fall via DQ when Swagger fails to release an ankle lock despite Rey having the ropes. Jack wins the second fall with the ankle lock when he caught Rey's legs when he was attempting the 619. Rey wins the third fall with a roll-up pin.
Rey Mysterio will face Kane for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam.
After the match Swagger attacks Rey but Kane comes out and connects with a chokeslam. Kane goes back into the ring to attack Rey but gets a 619. Rey leaves Kane in the ring to end this week's edition of SmackDown.
SD! Dark Match, Morrison/DiBiase Feud, Austin Update, Orton
-- A dark match between Alberto Del Rio and Kaval took place before tonight's Friday Night SmackDown taping in Little Rock, Arkansas. The WWE newcomer scored the victory following a jumping spin kick to the NXT Rookie, who was tied up on the ropes.
-- Regarding the John Morrison vs. Ted DiBiase program, it is expected to be prolonged through at least September as tentative creative plans call for the two RAW Superstars to face off at Night of Champions as we noted earlier here on the website.
-- WWE confirmed on its website this afternoon that Randy Orton has joined Twitter. As noted earlier, his account is located at twitter.com/RealRKOrton Following Orton's Triple Threat Match victory over Chris Jericho and Edge last night on RAW, "The Viper" was the No. 1 most-popular trend on Twitter for more than 15 hours. During this time, John Cena persisted Orton to join the social networking site. "CeNation. I have told Randy about the overwhelming demand 4 him on Twitter. What he does now is up to him," Cena posted this morning. Later that afternoon, Cena tweeted, "The Viper lurks. [Orton] is seriously considering joining very soon."
-- Stone Cold Steve Austin will be appearing at Comic-Con in San Diego this year, adding his name to an already long list of wrestlers who will be at the event. Austin will be appearing on Friday July 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Anchor Bay Entertainment booth #3345, promoting DVD releases of The Stranger and Hunt to Kill on DVD. He will be signing posters of The Stranger during the appearance. Followers of the @headlockedcomic Twitter account will be able to get special deals at Comic-Con this week, a different one each day. Wednesday's deal gives you $5 off the Headlocked trade paperback with the limited-edition Jerry Lawler cover.
-- Regarding the John Morrison vs. Ted DiBiase program, it is expected to be prolonged through at least September as tentative creative plans call for the two RAW Superstars to face off at Night of Champions as we noted earlier here on the website.
-- WWE confirmed on its website this afternoon that Randy Orton has joined Twitter. As noted earlier, his account is located at twitter.com/RealRKOrton Following Orton's Triple Threat Match victory over Chris Jericho and Edge last night on RAW, "The Viper" was the No. 1 most-popular trend on Twitter for more than 15 hours. During this time, John Cena persisted Orton to join the social networking site. "CeNation. I have told Randy about the overwhelming demand 4 him on Twitter. What he does now is up to him," Cena posted this morning. Later that afternoon, Cena tweeted, "The Viper lurks. [Orton] is seriously considering joining very soon."
-- Stone Cold Steve Austin will be appearing at Comic-Con in San Diego this year, adding his name to an already long list of wrestlers who will be at the event. Austin will be appearing on Friday July 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Anchor Bay Entertainment booth #3345, promoting DVD releases of The Stranger and Hunt to Kill on DVD. He will be signing posters of The Stranger during the appearance. Followers of the @headlockedcomic Twitter account will be able to get special deals at Comic-Con this week, a different one each day. Wednesday's deal gives you $5 off the Headlocked trade paperback with the limited-edition Jerry Lawler cover.
WWE's YouTube Agreement
-- The sports tech website TMCNet.com has an article up about WWE's agreement with YouTube that will result in full episodes of RAW, NXT, Superstars and SmackDown! being posted. This is the first time that the site will have complete episodes of a current prime-time series. In includes comments from WWE Executive Vice President of WWE Interaction Brian Kalinowski.
Orton’s Original SummerSlam Plans, Why Is Bret in the Main Event?
- WWE Hall of Famer Ricky Steamboat was originally set to be the 7th man for Team RAW in the match against Nexus at SummerSlam. Steamboat was hospitalized a few weeks back, which is why they chose Bret Hart instead.
- Randy Orton was also scheduled for the match against Nexus at SummerSlam. The decision was made to put Orton in a WWE Title match against Sheamus when they got word about Triple H’s condition. Triple H was originally set to face Sheamus at SummerSlam.
- Randy Orton was also scheduled for the match against Nexus at SummerSlam. The decision was made to put Orton in a WWE Title match against Sheamus when they got word about Triple H’s condition. Triple H was originally set to face Sheamus at SummerSlam.
Vickie Guerrero Has Travel Problems, Randy Orton on Twitter
- Vickie Guerrero just noted on Twitter that she got "flown to the wrong city" and is now boarding a small aircraft to fly her to Little Rock, Arkansas for tonight's WWE TV tapings.
- Randy Orton has opened an official Twitter account at http://twitter.com/RealRKOrton.
- Randy Orton has opened an official Twitter account at http://twitter.com/RealRKOrton.
This Week's RAW Rating Is In + John Cena Tweets
-- This week's WWE RAW did a 3.4 cable rating. The show did hours of 3.09 (3.1) and 3.68 (3.7) for an average of 3.39. That second hour is a huge number.
-- John Cena posted the following on Twitter: CeNation. The viper lurks. He is seriously considering joining very soon. Hope u guys enjoy. I'm doing work for gillette drafted season 2.. Right now. It will air in the land of tim hortons on sept 13
-- John Cena posted the following on Twitter: CeNation. The viper lurks. He is seriously considering joining very soon. Hope u guys enjoy. I'm doing work for gillette drafted season 2.. Right now. It will air in the land of tim hortons on sept 13
Scott Hall Health Update
-- The following was posted on Scott Hall's Twitter page: Home, and feeling much better :)
Report: Former TNA Star Set To Return + Dixie/Styles News
-- As announced earlier, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles has been named Pro Wrestling Illustrated's "PWI 500" winner for 2010. He is the first TNA wrestler to top the annual chart, which is now in its twentieth year. On Twitter, TNA president Dixie Carter congratulated Styles on his achievement, writing, "Congrats to AJ Styles on being TNA's 1st ever PWI 500 #1 Wrestler in the World. So deserved."
-- TNAWrestlingNews.com is reporting that many within TNA feel its "only a matter of time" before Christopher Daniels returns to the organization. For what it's worth, he is still listed on the company website's roster section. It was speculated that Daniels was going to be part of the mystery tag team at Victory Road, though it turned out to be Samoa Joe and Rob Terry. It's said that Joe and Terry were planned for the event all along.
-- TNAWrestlingNews.com is reporting that many within TNA feel its "only a matter of time" before Christopher Daniels returns to the organization. For what it's worth, he is still listed on the company website's roster section. It was speculated that Daniels was going to be part of the mystery tag team at Victory Road, though it turned out to be Samoa Joe and Rob Terry. It's said that Joe and Terry were planned for the event all along.
Major Backstage Update: 2 Recent TNA Firings
Although Ross Forman was let go from his position in public relations with TNA Wrestling several weeks ago, Forman has been at recent iMPACT! TV tapings because he works for Tristar, who currently has a license with TNA. Awkward.
TNA officials have been quiet regarding creative writer Ed Ferrera's recent departure from the organization. In fact, those who would be aware of the details surrounding his departure have declined to comment on the matter. The early word on Ferrara's firing was that it was done due to budget reasons but it appears to be something more now. We're just not sure what that is as of this writing.
Ferrara's departure means that more work is being put on Vince Russo. Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan not appearing at recent TV tapings have also created more work for Russo these days.
Report: 2 TNA Pay-Per-Views Draw Less Than 10,000 Buys
It is believed that TNA Wrestling's May and June pay-per-view events, Sacrifice and Slammiversary, drew approximately 8,000 buys apiece. The gross sum per event would total to approximately $111,000 for the company, though that is before the expense of running a live pay-per-view event is factored in.
By comparison, TNA drew in the neighborhood of 25,000 to 30,000 pay-per-view buys when iMPACT! was airing at 11 p.m. on Saturday nights. And when World Championship Wrestling was on its death bed, the company was still garnering approximately 40,000 buys per pay-per-view.
To draw another comparison, illegal live streams of TNA Wrestling pay-per-view events are nowhere near as popular as that of World Wrestling Entertainment and UFC. According to a source in monitoring, there are usually thirty to fifty unique live streams for wrestling pay-per-view events with an average of 1,000 viewers per stream prior to its termination. For last week's Victory Road pay-per-view, there were only five streams across the major live streaming sites — Justin.tv, Ustream.tv and freedocast.com). Victory Road garnered less than 1,500 viewers. Live streams for WWE events are in the triple digits with most averaging 60,000 viewers, and UFC events tends to have live viewers in excess of 200,000.
By comparison, TNA drew in the neighborhood of 25,000 to 30,000 pay-per-view buys when iMPACT! was airing at 11 p.m. on Saturday nights. And when World Championship Wrestling was on its death bed, the company was still garnering approximately 40,000 buys per pay-per-view.
To draw another comparison, illegal live streams of TNA Wrestling pay-per-view events are nowhere near as popular as that of World Wrestling Entertainment and UFC. According to a source in monitoring, there are usually thirty to fifty unique live streams for wrestling pay-per-view events with an average of 1,000 viewers per stream prior to its termination. For last week's Victory Road pay-per-view, there were only five streams across the major live streaming sites — Justin.tv, Ustream.tv and freedocast.com). Victory Road garnered less than 1,500 viewers. Live streams for WWE events are in the triple digits with most averaging 60,000 viewers, and UFC events tends to have live viewers in excess of 200,000.
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