According to MediaWeek.com, the two-hour expansion of TNA iMPACT! is part of a two-year expansion between TNA and Spike TV.
TNA taped the final three one-hour episodes of iMPACT! – to air on September 13, 20 and 27 – on Monday, and as reported by PWInsider’s news maestro Mike Johnson, the next TNA tapings at Universal Studios’ Soundstage 21 in Orlando, FL, will take place on Monday, September 24 (the taping for October 4’s two-hour premiere) and Tuesday, September 25 (the taping for the October 11 show). The first episode will be shot live-to-tape but Mike Tenay and Don West will lay down commentary for the second episode in post-production.
The plan right now, according to Johnson, is for tapings to occur on Mondays and Tuesdays every other week, therefore on October 8 for the show to air October 18 and October 9 for the show to air on October 25, and so on.
We have asked TNA to confirm speculation that the Saturday night replays will still air on Spike, and will post an update once we receive an answer.
Also, a source told us back when Vince Russo was hired that the TNA booker wanted to have a legit women’s division. According to Johnson, this is now happening since there is more TV time to utilize, and the company has shown some interest in indie talent from SHIMMER. In fact, PWInsider says that TNA will crown its first Women’s Champion at Bound For Glory in a Gauntlet Match (Royal Rumble rules until the final two are left to have a one-fall match).
For other matches slated for Bound For Glory, according to PWInsider, highlight the following text: TNA is planning a Monster’s Ball match, an Ultimate X match, and Kurt Angle vs. Sting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
In other TNA news, Johnson has reported that TNA action figures are now available at Target. They had previously been carried nationally by Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, so they are in the three major toy retail chains.
