At last night's taping, TNA started a tournament for the first-ever Xplosion championship with the idea that the champion would be able to challenge any champion on Impact.
pwinsider.com
May 17, 2011
New TNA Championship
Update on Desmond Wolfe
Desmond Wolfe returned at last night's Impact taping in a new role as the Commissioner of TNA's Xplosion series, which makes sense for the overseas markets.
source: pwinider.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Bruno Sammartino defeats Buddy Rogers for the (WWWF)WWE Championship at Madison Square Garden.
May 17, 1963
Vince McMahon Sr. died of cancer at 69.
May 17, 1984
Marty Jannetty defeated Shawn Michaels for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
May 17, 1993
"British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith died of a heart attack at 39.
May 17, 2002
May 16, 2011
Kurt Angle Says Jeff Hardy's Been Clean For A Month
Busted Open satellite radio show with Kurt Angle:
Angle on the Jeff Hardy incident at the end of the Victory Road PPV: "That was an unfortunate situation where I think Jeff realizes it now. Whatever he did...this is something that’s been talked about many times. Jeff made a mistake. If he was going to take any form of, let’s say, sleep medication... he probably should’ve waited an hour before he did that. Jeff made a bad decision and he’s learned from it.
"Jeff has been clean for the last month and he wants to come back and he’s ready to come back and I believe that he won’t make that mistake it again. But it did happen. I felt really bad. I felt bad for TNA, I felt bad for Jeff, I felt bad for the company. Jeff Hardy is an amazing wrestler. I have nothing bad to say about him, actually I love the kid. I wrestled Jeff at his best and I wrestled Jeff at his worst, and it’s night and day."
Full interview
Tickets for Urban Wrestling Federation's Debut in NYC Now on Sale
The debut ppv taping for the Urban Wrestling Federation on June 3rd in New York City at the Hammerstein Ballroom officially went on sale this morning via Ticketmaster, priced at $85 down to $15. For more information, visit this link.
source: pwinsider.com
Hulk Hogan Says TNA's Problem Is Spike TV Awareness
Hulk Hogan made an appearance on "The LAW" radio show where he discussed a problem he is setting with Spike TV not being available in enough homes in his opinion, which is why TNA seems to struggle with getting its TV audience to buy PPV.
"A lot of it has to do with awareness and the fact that we can get to the people. If I go into my hotel room in Chicago there are certain cable networks that are on like USA Network - there is no Spike TV. I mean a lot of it depends on who you can get to and who you can reach there is a lot more than 'the fans aren't buying it' there is more to the equation and that's a very shallow statement and that's not a fact. The people that see it are buying it, there just aren't enough people seeing it. That's what it is - it's creating awareness, a marketing plan we have to work with Spike TV and boost them up the ladder. I don't know how many cable networks there are in the States if it's 25 or 35 but in the paper it shows you who the top ten are so if we can get Spike up to that number one position the whole equation would change on how many people are buying it and change the equation and someone wouldn't say 'no one is buying it' well the people that are seeing it are buying it so it's creating that awareness to make people more aware that the product is there and that they can get it and when they walk into a hotel in Brantford that Spike is available."
On a side note, as of January 2011, Spike TV was available in 99.5 million homes - or 85.8% of the country. In comparison, USA Network is available in 99.95 million homes - or 86.2% of the country.
source: john pollock, the law
J.R. Comments on TNA's Billboard in Stamford, CT
Jim Ross offered his thoughts on TNA occupying billboard space in Stamford, Conn., where WWE is headquartered, for their new marketing campaign.
"Thoughts? A complete waste of money unless obscure mentions such as this one is what TNA is looking for. Silly expenditure of money IMO. One would think that organization would have bigger and more important fish to fry. However, what TNA does isn't any of my business or concern but the question was asked and has now been addressed. I would guess that many WWE, Stamford based employees learned of TNA for the first time via the local billboards."
WWE CFO Discusses TV Network Plans, "Project Evergreen," B+ Storylines, Triple H's Formal Role & UFC as Competition
WWE CFO George Barrios covered several WWE business topics during a presentation Monday at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology Conference. The following are highlights of Barrios's comments.
Barrios discussed throughout the 35-minute presentation the importance of WWE's forthcoming TV Network, which he described as a "potential game-changer" for WWE. Barrios said the current plan is to roll out a formal TV Network in some form within the next 12-18 months after the groundwork is taken care of internally.
Barrios said one aspect is ready - digitizing their video library - which they are calling "Project Evergreen." Barrios noted WWE is taking some of their $4-5 million capital expenditure investment to develop new filmed content for the Network. The other aspect is continued discussions with potential TV partners to establish the look & feel of a Network.
"I've said publicly if we're successful to the degree I think we can be successful, it's a game-changer for the company," Barrios said at the end of the conference.
Barrios gave a formal description of Triple H's new role in the talent department. He essentially broke down Hunter's role as a liaison between new talent and TV production trying to bridge the gap as a "talent coordinator and developer."
"Hunter's role is going to be focusing on the creation of characters within that (talent relations) department," Barrios said. "Who better to teach than someone who has done it himself?"...More?
source: pwtorch.com
Lack of Updates
Updates have been limited due to lack of computer access, i.e. my laptop died. The new one should arrive before the end of the week.
MVP Wins New Japan Pro Wrestling IWGP Intercontinental Championship
Former WWE United States Champion MVP became the first ever IWGP Intercontinental Champion by defeating Toru Yano in the tournament final of New Japan Pro Wrestling's "Attack the East Coast" Tour. Montel Vontavius Porter completed the three-day tournament that played out during NJPW's American tour. Click here for photos.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
