What The TNA Talent Has Been Told About The Cancellation Rumors

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the TNA roster has been told that the company will respond to cancellation rumors at the next set of television tapings, which are currently scheduled for June 24th through the 28th. TNA has four full days of Impact Wrestling tapings during that period, in addition to the Slammiversary pay-per-view. Neither Destination America, nor Discovery Network has commented on the status of Impact Wrestling or the cancellation reports.

Former WWE Superstar Calls On Other Wrestlers to Join His Class Action Lawsuit Against WWE

Former WWE and WCW star Big Vito LoGrasso, who filed a class action lawsuit against WWE in January with former WWE developmental talent Adam Mercer, is asking for other wrestlers to join the suit against WWE. He wrote the following on Facebook:

ATTENTION TO ALL FORMER WWF, ECW, WCW, WWE WRESTLERS.

I know all have there view points on this lawsuit. But, if you never stick up for your self, you never know what can be and what cant.If you were in DEEP SOUTH and OVW as a developmental talent, you also have rights. If you have problems and think you need help, Please join the lawsuit I am in litigation in. If you have medical records, you are positively ahead of the game. IF YOU WERE A ENHANCEMENT TALENT IN THE WWF, you also qualify. If you think you are irritating the WWE and think if you join, you will ruin your chances, the bussiness has changed guys, if they have not called you in 5 years, they are not calling you. This is a chance for benefits , the same as in the NFL lawsuit. No one knew, but a Billion dollars divided up for the guys who put there time in and have some issues, now have relief. I am standing up for myself, and all of you. I was never a follower always a leader. So follow me guys and join. I hope the internet guys post this to there sites, TMZ . The WWE will definitely see this and to know that I will be going on TV soon in a tell all, is just proof that you gotta believe in you and the sacrafices you made in life. As you know, you had to be tuff, never say your hurt, if you were , you lost your spot. There are some good people and some WWE HOFers involved and signed on as well. I hope this post makes it back to the right people. I will be heard and know one thing, I dont bullshit and I speak the truth, when the truth comes out, it isnt a very nice place. Here is the name of the lawyer, his name is Bill Kyros , his number is 1 617 833 3727. Call him and tell him I sent you. Good luck guys and join the fight for rights you deserve. This is a brotherhood that we all seem to have forgotten about.

Rumor Mill - Stephanie McMahon And Triple H Reportedly Working On Changing How Women In WWE Are Featured

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are said to be big proponents of changing the way women in WWE are featured. Apparently this is very much based on Stephanie's influence and the success UFC has had with Ronda Rousey.

It's said that the two aren't UFC fans but are fans of Rousey and her recent Sports Illustrated cover was another sign to them that times have changed and it's a different era. At the same time, it was said to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Vince McMahon still sees women in the role that they're currently in on WWE's main roster.

Changes Being Made to “Total Divas” Cast & Time Slot

The following promotional material has been issued by E! for the upcoming season of “Total Divas”, signaling possible cast changes and a new time slot for the show:

“Total Divas” – Tuesday, July 7 at 9:00pm ET/PT

Returning in its fourth season, E!, WWE®and Bunim-Murray Productions continue their look inside the lives of the women of the sports entertainment giant. Cameras once again showcase the professional and personal lives of the WWE Divas: The Bella Twins™(Nikki and Brie Bella), Natalya™ (Nattie), Naomi™, Alicia Fox™, Paige™, and Eva Marie™. Between balancing family, maintaining romantic relationships and constantly fighting for the spotlight, the Divas are up against the odds. However, their unique lifestyles bring them together in a bond of sisterhood like no other.

TNA Issues Official Statement Responding to Report of Destination America Canceling TNA Programming

As noted, Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer reported this week that Destination America will be canceling TNA programming effective this September. In response to this report, TNA has issued the following statement:

Statement from TNA Regarding IMPACT WRESTLING

It has come to our attention that several internet news sources have falsely attributed statements to TNA, its executives and broadcasting partner. These false statements constitute defamation and if necessary we will seek all legal remedies available to us.

WWE NXT Takeover: Unstoppable Results

Samoa Joe Makes WWE Debut at NXT Takeover

Samoa Joe made his shocking WWE debut at NXT Takeover: Unstoppable.

During the show’s main event, NXT Champion Kevin Owens brutally assaulted challenger Sami Zayn following a pop-up powerbomb on the ring apron. Medics and officials tended to the fallen Superstar, but the champion continues his assault for several minutes, including a knee to the back of the head and a barrage of stiff right hands.

When Owens attempted to beating back into the ring, NXT General Manager William Regal rushed down and physically attempted to stop him, but was thrown from the fray and the assault continued. When a steel chair was brought into the ring, Samoa Joe made his surprise entrance from the locker room and backed down the 265-pound champion, allowing medics to finally check on an unconscious Sami Zayn.

Rumor Mill - Destination America Cancelling Impact Wrestling

According to Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Destination America is going to cancel TNA Impact Wrestling programming, following reports the network was disappointed with the wrestling company’s ratings.

It was recently reported that Destination America had an ‘out clause’ of their deal with TNA in September, and they would be moving Impact Wrestling from Friday nights to Wednesday nights. It was believed that the move was in order to try and get the show better ratings, this is apparently not the case.

Meltzer wrote:

“Just days before the move was announced, Destination America made the decision to cancel TNA Wrestling, with the time frame given at the end of the third quarter (roughly the last week of September, when the current television season ends). Key people at the Discovery Channel network were informed of the decision at that point.

The word internally was that while they considered the ratings good, the ratings were not good enough to justify the cost of the programming. The other problem was that so many regular station advertisers specifically did not want to advertise on the show.

It should be noted that when the word was sent out, it was stated specifically that TNA would remain on Friday nights, with original episodes, until that point, and informing people for the fall season plans for Friday nights. Just days later, they were moved to Wednesday.

The decision was meant to be kept secret, very much like Spike kept secret publicly last year its decision to drop TNA for months after the decision was made and reported. It doesn’t serve the station or the promotion any good to publicly cancel the show this far in advance. The public acknowledgment was expected to come around the time the station listed its 2015-16 television season prime time lineup with the launch of up front advertising.

Those who were informed of the cancellation have not been told at this point anything different several days after the change of date was announced. But things obviously have changed, at least to the degree of moving days. So this story is very much ongoing.”

Rumor Mill - Eric Bischoff Suing TNA, Alleging Missed And Late Payments, TNA Responds, More Details

According to ProWrestling.net Eric Bischoff, his son Garett and business partner Jason Hervey have filed a lawsuit against TNA for breach of contract. PW.net reports that the suit was filed on May 15th in Davidson County, Tennessee and claims that the company owes them $114,500.02.

The report says that Eric Bischoff and Hervey are listed under their production company, and are alleging that they were hired on a "pay or play" deal. They, and Garett say that TNA paid them on time until the end of September, and that Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment informed TNA of a breach in the contract on November 4th due to a failure to pay in October. A second notice was issued on November 24th. TNA eventually paid $101,500 before 2015, but the company is still looking for the same amount for the last three months of their contract, which expired on March 31st.

Garett Bischoff was a part of the company's first deal with the company before signing his own contract with TNA on October 24th. His contract included $2,166.67 monthly on what was called a "pay or play" deal, in addition to $500 for paid performances. His deal also expired on March 21st and claims that TNA still owes him over $13,000.

TNA supposedly issued a response on January 12th, claiming that they had paid Bischoff-Hervey in full, which Bischoff-Hervey disagreed with. Bischoff-Hervey's attorney Bryan Lewis told TNA's attorney, "When the money was sent, you did not make it clear whether it was in connection with the settlement offer that was on the table or a reinstatement by TNA," reads the letter from Lewis. "TNA did not make a request that Bischoff-Hervey perform services when the money was sent. Bischoff-Hervery Entertainment stands ready, willing, and able to perform under the agreement in the event TNA is reinstating that agreement."

The Rock Strongly Considering A Return To The Ring At WrestleMania 32

The Rock was recently interviewed by SI.com to promote his upcoming film San Andreas. He revealed that he is strongly considering a return to the ring at AT&T Stadium, in front of more than 100,000 fans, in Texas for WrestleMania 32.

“Myself, Vince, Triple H have talked about creating something that is amazing,” said Johnson. “Any time for me, going back into the WWE, especially if it’s a match – and these guys know this because of the open dialogue between me and Triple H – the question is, can we create, in terms of a promotional scale for the fans, something better than what we did in Miami and back-to-back in New York with John Cena? Can we put together something that’s different but equally, if not more, exciting? So there’s a lot of elements involved that we continue to talk about and chop up. That’s the coolest part about the relationship I have with the McMahons, including Triple H.”

He added:

“Look, the platform is there,” said Johnson. “You have Dallas and could set an attendance record, so that’s the first goal. And then what is the match that allows us to do that? I’ve had incredible matches with Triple H, so I’m not ruling it out, but I’m not saying it is going to happen.

“We continue to talk about it, and we’re still shooting each other text messages. He sent me a message from Dallas that said, ‘This could be us. The record is ours.’ So we’ll see.”

Click here to read the full interview.

Triple H NXT Media Call Recap: Sami Zayn And Hideo Itami Update, NXT Touring Plans, Samoa Joe, More

* Triple H apologizes for his voice and says "with a nose like mine, changing allergy zones three times" is a bad thing.

* HHH puts over Charlotte and Sasha Banks headlining an NXT live event last week. He wants them to change the perception of what women do in the industry.

* The NXT tours will continue. He's looking at festival touring and some international shows as well. He wants NXT to be a full brand by next year.

* HHH thanked ESPN and Jeremy Schapp. He said he hopes that they can work together more, or produce more of those for the Network.

* Sami Zayn has been cleared, an will compete.

* HHH thinks Becky/Sasha could steal the show.

* Matt Bloom has been promoted to permanent head coach at NXT. Sara Del Rey is assistant head coach now.

* Sara Del Rey is still working as a road agent as well.

* He already considers NXT an additional brand. He wants to find what's best suited for NXT. Things that work on the main roster may not work in NXT.

* Triple H wants NXT on the road 3 days a week by 2016. He wants NXT to have a two-tour function eventually. He doesn't want to lose the homegrown fans in Flordia, either.

* Triple H doesn't care if someone has indy experience or not, but having experience helps.

* He doesn't know if NXT will become a cable TV show. He's happy where they are on the WWE Network. Triple H sees NXT as a selling point for the Network, too.

* Hideo Itami will be represented, but will not be wrestling tomorrow night.

* While NXT is a third brand, it's still there to get people ready for the main roster, Triple H says. He says the best problem he can have is Vince calling him in the middle of a hot angle and asking for that star.

* Triple H says that there are several talents in NXT ready for the main roster, but there aren't spots for them, or else they'd be there.

* HHH says WWE developmental is a young man's game. He says it takes a while for them to get talent up to speed.

* Triple H says he likes Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate. He says he's not trying to make NXT a direct competition to them. He wants to make the best roster that he can. He thinks if NXT's business grows, so will RoH's. He said he'd love to help support ROH and grow.

* Triple H says there are talents that said they turned down NXT deals for ROH. He says they haven't spoken to those talents on any level.

* Triple H says he wanted to make NXT an individual brand from day 1, but didn't tell anyone that.

* Triple H thinks Samoa Joe is a phenomenal talent. Says he was at the performance center a month or two ago. He doesn't know if they'll do business. He said they only spoke for about five minutes, and it was mostly pleasantries.

* He says there are plenty of talents that won't make it on the main roster, and gimmicks that won't work on the main roster.

* Vince McMahon doesn't see all of NXT. Triple H shows him bits and pieces.

* HHH doesn't see Cena going anywhere. He thinks it's great that Cena is confident enough to give younger stars a time to shine. Time pushes people to move to different roles.

* Someone asks about Emma. Triple H says it's more than possible for her to get back in the title picture.

* Triple H says Vince McMahon was blown away by the NXT show WrestleMania weekend. Triple H didn't know Vince would be there until last minute. McMahon messaged him and said he'd be there. Triple H said that several WWE executives came and were impressed, and wanted to do more with it.

* Triple H puts over the progress of Sami Zayn working without a mask and Baron Corbin.

* There aren't plans of an all-female NXT show or special, but it could happen.

* Nothing in NXT was by accident. He had a vision for this.

* The majority of the fans dictate what they do.

New Head Coach and Assistant Head Coach named for NXT, WWE's developmental system

WWE today announced that Matt Bloom has been promoted to Head Coach of WWE’s developmental system, NXT, and Sara Amato has been promoted to NXT’s Assistant Head Coach. Bloom previously held the position of Interim Head Coach and Amato was previously an Assistant Coach.

Bloom, a former WWE Superstar and Intercontinental Champion, made his WWE debut in 1999 as Prince Albert. After an eight-year stint in Japan, Bloom returned to WWE in 2012 as WWE Superstar Tensai. Bloom retired from in-ring action in 2014 and was named an NXT Assistant Coach, working at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., where he also spent time as a color commentator for NXT programming on WWE Network. He was named NXT’s Interim Head Coach in March 2015.

Amato joined WWE in 2012 as Sara Del Rey after spending more than a decade working on the independent circuit. Since then, she has been responsible for training, creating and developing some of the most athletic, charismatic and confident Divas, including current WWE Divas Paige, Summer Rae and Emma, as well as NXT Divas Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Alexa Bliss, Becky Lynch and Carmella. In addition to coaching at the WWE Performance Center, Amato will also work with WWE Superstars and Divas on the main roster as both a producer and agent.

"I have the utmost confidence in Matt and Sara’s ability to train and lead the next generation of Superstars and Divas at the WWE Performance Center," said Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. "With each having more than 15 years of experience in the business, Matt and Sara will continue to be invaluable resources to our developmental system. The trust and respect that they have gained throughout the years by both our talent and training staff puts NXT in a great position for future success."

"It is truly an honor to be named the Head Coach of NXT and play a key role in creating and developing the WWE Superstars and Divas of the future," said Bloom. "I look forward to continuing my role in training and coaching the incredibly talented roster we have at the WWE Performance Center."

"This is a dream come true for me,” said Amato. “I’m so proud to be given the opportunity to train and lead the aspiring talent at the WWE Performance Center as we continue to expand the NXT brand globally."