Friday, April 22, 2011

This Week's TNA iMPACT! Rating + Kong-WWE Update


-- This week's edition of TNA iMPACT! drew a 1.17 (1.2) cable rating, with 1,730,000 viewers. More shortly.

-- Jim Ross and Awesome Kong were in Las Vegas for the CAC Reunion convention earlier this week. Ross tweeted the following regarding Kong and WWE: "Awesome Kong can become a big star in the near future. Lots of charisma. Natural badass. I believe in her." It should also be noted that even though WWE recently trademarked the name "Kharma", there are other names being discussed for Awesome Kong. We'll keep you posted.

Two WWE Diva Sent Home From European Tour


-- The RAW crew concludes their near two-week long international tour today and tomorrow in Qatar. The shows, however, will be without the "Sexy, Smart and Powerful" WWE Divas as they are prohibited from wearing clothing that doesn't cover their legs or shoulders in public. Qatar is an Islamic country with strict dress laws.

Eve Torres and The Bella Twins, among others, have already flown back to the United States.

Major RAW Editing

-- Michael Cole had his Extreme Rules tag team partner, Jack Swagger, join him as a woman, who looked vaguely like the Queen of England, enter the ring and knight him on this week's episode of RAW. The entire segment was cut from the encore telecast on Sky Sports in the UK, as well as most references to it. This was not the only segment cut from the replay as R-Truth smoking a cigarette was also edited out.

The Latest Update On Desmond Wolfe & TNA Inside

Hulk Hogan addressed Desmond Wolfe's status with TNA Wrestling last week on Twitter, writing, "Desmond's situation is beyond TNA’s control, the ball is completely in his court." However, several sources indicate otherwise.

Wolfe was scheduled to reform his partnership with Magnus late last year, but Douglas Williams was given the spot instead. Company officials have had plans for the former ROH World Champion to return, including this week, but they have yet to materialize.

Wolfe is currently appearing for various community theaters in Central Florida and working on writing projects.

TNA Counteracts Sin Cara With New Masked Wrestler

Sangriento, a masked wrestler hailing from Tijuana, Mexico, made his TNA Wrestling debut on this week's episode of TNA Xplosion as he competed 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.

Sangriento was brainstormed by Spike TV officials as they wanted TNA to introduce a character that would counteract Sin Cara of WWE. TNA considered various independent wrestlers for the role but decided on Amazing Red.

You can click here to view photos of TNA's new masked character, Sangriento.

Ric Flair Undergoes Surgery + TNA Knockout Returns

-- Miss Tessmacher cut an interview on last night's episode of TNA iMPACT! and noted the differences in TNA Wrestling during the time she was away. The former WWE Diva says she has been training during that time and that she wants "that championship." She closed by telling the 'bitches' in TNA that Miss Tessmacher is back.

-- Ric Flair underwent successful surgery yesterday to repair a torn rotator cuff. No word yet on how long he will be sidelined.

The WWE Hall of Famer suffered the injury in late January, during a match against Douglas Williams in Manchester, England. He delayed the surgery until his storyline was finalized at TNA Lockdown.

Eric Bischoff Chimes In On The Scott Hall Situation

Eric Bischoff posted a message concerning Scott Hall on his Facebook account yesterday:

"Just read Kevin Nash's latest update on Scott Hall. I agree with Kevin 100% on the real issues at the core of Scott's problems. God bless Kevin as well as Scott's family and friends. I hope they find a way to reach Scott before its too late. Scott really is a good man underneath all the scar tissue and pain."

Kevin Nash Spends Night In Hospital w/ Scott Hall

Kevin Nash posted the following update on Scott Hall…

"spent the night with Scott tonight at the hospital,along with his son,He's lost a lot of weight,but the smile on his face was priceless"

Major Possible WWE Draft **SPOILERS**

Due to the retirement of Edge leaving SmackDown! in dire need of a top babyface, Vince McMahon decided to hold the annual WWE Draft next Monday as opposed to a date in June. It was described as a "panic move" as noted earlier here on the website.

WWE officials have discussed moving Alberto Del Rio to RAW during next Monday's WWE Draft as he is currently penciled to headline SummerSlam against John Cena. It has also been broached for Del Rio to move to the brand as World Heavyweight Champion, with The Miz, as WWE Champion, heading to SmackDown!.

The entire mid-card, with Cody Rhodes, The Nexus, The Corre, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre and R-Truth specifically cited, are also strong candidates to change brands during the Draft. Please keep in mind that nothing is confirmed at this time and plans will change numerous times throughout the weekend.

With that being said, the identities of who gets moved are constantly changing this week. We've heard of a few names already which you can click here to read about. Again, nothing is confirmed.

We'll keep you posted as we get more.

Jay Lethal Addresses TNA Release, Orlando Jordan Rants, More

-- Orlando Jordan stated on Twitter that the date numerous websites have listed as his birthday — 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!!"


-- Jay Lethal, who was released Wednesday 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 (Wednesday).

Ziggler Not Happy w/ New Look + Fox Replaces Melina

-- 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.

-- 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. For those who have not seen it yet, you can click here to view Dolph Ziggler's new look.

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...."

TNA Stars Upset With Jay Lethal's Release, Hardy/Sting

-- A number of TNA stars are apparently upset with Jay Lethal's sudden departure from TNA. The following remarks were written on Twitter.

Max Buck: "Ridiculous. Just ridiculous."

Amazing Red: "...... ;( %&*$"

"Morale has just took a nose dive (SMFH)."

Jeremy Buck: "worst possible thing to happen to r locker room.

Tara wrote to Lethal: "Oh I hope this is just a rumor. Because I will miss you terribly."

-- Suicide has been added back to the TNAWrestling.com's roster page.

-- Matt Hardy announced on Twitter that he is facing Sting for the first time tonight on TNA iMPACT!.

Updated: TNA Releases Jay Lethal


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.

UPDATE: In a new bit of information, many within TNA are saying that organization officials opted to release the former X Division Champion. It seems like there is much more to this story that we have yet to learn. More as we get it.

R-Truth Smoking Media Continues


-- On Wednesday night's episode of Red Eye, a segment of the show was devoted to the R-Truth smoking angle from Raw. They showed the footage, the comments from Patrick Reynolds, and WWE's response. The panelists pointed out that R Truth is a bad guy now in WWE, and that it was a negative depiction of smoking. They then went on to compare it to a villain smoking in a movie and that kids should recognize that bad guys do bad things.

Scoops on R-Truth’s RAW Heel Turn, WWE Draft Update

- Whatever happens at the WWE Draft next week won’t take effect until the May 2nd RAW with The Rock. The Draft RAW and the RAW on May 2nd have been re-written several times and will likely be re-written several more times before they actually go live.

- While the R-Truth heel turn and removal from the WWE Title Match at Extreme Rules was designed to get him over and not bury him, there was a feeling that he did not come off as a “dynamic performer” in the Gauntlet match on RAW two weeks ago to earn the title shot.