TNA Backstage Turmoil & More

News

– Before the Final Resolution PPV there was a showdown of sorts between Bob Backlund and Kevin Nash backstage. Nash tried to get over on Backlund by making jokes about ‘gimmicks’ (wrestler terminology for getting high on somas or other forms of downers) and other drug references that he thought Backlund wouldn’t get. Backlund threatened to walk off the set and insisted on the material being removed from the script else he was going home that instant.

– Kevin Nash was said to be instrumental in getting his friend Jeremy Borash back on the interview segments instead of Leticia Crane. He was one of many people to complain about Crane, who held up numerous tapings because they had to do numerous reshoots of her segments. Nash made a few cracks about whether her boobs were good enough to warrant them filming until 1am because of her errors. Jim Cornette has also been taking a greater interest in producing the interview segments.

– The morale in the TNA locker room is said to be worse than ever. There has been a divide created between the star group (Jarrett, Sting, Angle, Christian, Nash) who make the most money and get a separate dressing room from the rest of the roster. TNA has also cut back on the shuttle bus they used to get people from the airport and hotel to Universal Studios, although the five main guys still get plenty of perks.

– Konnan spent nine days in a Monterrey hospital after his hip replacement operation. The doctor doesn’t want him wrestling for at least six months, yet Konnan is already planning on wrestling in AAA in three months time. He still needs the kidney transplant, with his mother as donor, and has lost about 40 pounds in weight so far because of the limited diet he must maintain. AAA are planning a benefit show for him in February, with WWE agreeing to Rey Mysterio making an appearance (although he won’t be wrestling due to his knee surgery). Konnan’s kidney problems are said to have been caused by a combination of heavy usage of anti-inflammatory drugs, pain killers and a high protein diet and not due to heavy steroid use.

– There is heat on Brother Ray for Team 3D’s match with LAX at Final Resolution. Terry Taylor spoke to all of them after the match, which was agreed to be the worst on the PPV, and told Ray he didn’t sell enough for Homicide and that LAX are the tag champions and hottest home-grown act in the company. Ray thought he had been selling plenty but Taylor told him otherwise. To smooth things over Ray then volunteered to put Homicide over on TV.

– The booking team still wants to add new members to LAX. Konnan wanted Senshi to join but Senshi’s attitude means TNA don’t want to push him that much. They want Apolo and Machete, both former members, to join but some people feel they would water down a hot act too much.

– Mike Tenay is back on the booking team, alongside Vince Russo, Dutch Mantel and Jeff Jarrett. They have also asked Cornette to join but they are still negotiating financial terms about it.

– The current plan is for Scott Steiner to be the ‘anger management coach’ Christian has referred to, although Ken Shamrock is another option. There is no chance of Goldberg or Lesnar joining at this point.

– ROH is still in talks with Bruno Sammartino about him making an appearance at one of their Detroit shows over WrestleMania weekend, most likely on the night of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

Credit: Wrestling Observer newsletter (click here for subscription information)