This week, I have spoilers for an event that takes place in a couple months. Really! The big question is “will they stick?” I also have some more TNA talent transactions and some news that involves TNA stars. I might have more, but let’s get this party started.
TNA Rapid Fire
Sheik Abdul Bashir recently got married last weekend. No word on who the bride was, but we here at the Pulse wish them a prosperous marriage.
Buy some TNA merchandise, they promise to unveil new items at ShopTNA.com!
Several TNA superstars and some wrestling legends will be on hand Wrestlemania Weekend as Booker T’s Fight for Kids Foundation sponsors a fan festival at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Houston will truly be the center of the wrestling universe April 1st-5th.
So Long, Sonjay Dutt
Starting off with sad news this week, Sonjay Dutt is gone from TNA Wrestling effective immediately. The main reason surrounding this transaction is that the two sides could not agree on a contract extension. This catches TNA by surprise because Dutt was very popular with the fan base in India, where TNA programming is doing extremely well. However, in the current economic crisis, and the main fact that they have to pay Sting’s $500,000 bill, TNA and Dutt couldn’t find a fine line. Considering that he was a mid-card talent and not having anything current in storylines, except the “love interest” with SoCal Val, this can be viewed as a great loss for TNA, and a not-so-bad loss.
As of this posting, Cute Kip, Eric Young, Shark Boy, BG James, Rhaka Khan and the entire jobber division were still employed by TNA. There have been no new signings announced this week, so things remain to be seen as we near the time when many contracts begin to expire.
LockDown Spoiled
This is the end of February and we have spoilers for TNA LockDown hitting the internet for what it’s worth. If these stick, I will be amazed, but four matches hinted at going on include Mick Foley v. Sting; Kurt Angle v. Jeff Jarrett; AJ Styles v. Booker T; and Samoa Joe v. Kevin Nash. Hell, I’m calling this one a bluff because there’s no way in hell we’re going to get four singles matches inside the six sides of steel. This is TNA, Vince Russo isn’t the King of Clusterfucks for anything. You heard it here first, folks. The main event to LockDown is this:
The Main Event Mafia (Sting, Angle, Booker, Nash, & Steiner) v. Foley, Jarrett, Styles, Joe, & Rhino – Lethal LockDown.
Reading the hinted matches makes me think that the Mafia/Frontline/TNA Management angle should come to a head here. Foley/Sting would be awesome since both men can still put on a classic 80’s bout wrestling match. However, would today’s fans actually enjoy this match? Sound out on that in the comments if you want.
Ireland, Here We Come (Again)!
Off the TNA Wrestling website, they have announced that when the stars of TNA head to Europe for their takeover of Germany, Austria, & Switzerland, they will make a stopover to Dublin, Ireland for a live event at the 02 Arena. This event will be on October 3rd and tickets go on sale March 5th!
Ratings News
I told you so. Last week’s iMPACT reached an all-time record with 1.9 million viewers watching. This translated to a 1.33 cable rating, which was up from the prior week’s 1.2. Dixie Carter was enjoyed with this success that she made a rare blog about it over at TNAWrestling.com. It took them a long time for this to happen, but if the fans were interested in what occurred last week with Kurt Angle and Sting, they won’t be disappointed in the weeks to come. As far as a prediction for this week, I’m actually going to bank on it. 1.4 baby (OK, a 1.35 rating rounded to a 1.4), here we come. If you read my column, watch iMPACT tonight. You can make this very possible.
On Last Week’s Episode
Motor City Machine Guns d. Lethal Consequences (Belt shot on Creed; pinfall) – The match did what it was supposed to do – the guys got to do their stuff and the street fight aspect made it better, but if they can learn to sell for longer than a few seconds. Not everyone can be SUPER CENA, right?
LAX & Shane Sewell d. Brutus Magnus, Sheik Abdul Bashir, & Matt Morgan (Sewell pins Bashir, flying elbow) – What a mess and the Sewell/Bashir program is STILL going on? We need something different. Also, way to have Magnus already on the losing side of things.
Taylor Wilde d. Angelina Love (Bitching to referee, gets rolled up) – These matches are starting to be as boring as the ones that other company puts on. On a vomit-inducing note, I never want to see a shot of Cute Kip’s ass like that again.
Beer Money d. Team Canada’s Eric Young & Petey Williams (Last Call on Williams; pinfall; Thanks for the memories, Petey) – Very decent match, although I still question as to why Petey Williams got the shaft here. I want to guess contract disputes, but I don’t know if we’ll find out.
Kurt Angle & Sting brawled to a no contest (They beat the hell out of each other, but Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner stop things.) – I don’t see how an Empty Arena match is as bad as some of our readers mentioned. I found it unique because it requires both men to actually make it look convincing. There was no crowd noise to drown out the “noise created by the wrestlers”, and it all looked like a worked shoot fight. Kudos to them for pulling this off.
What’s on Tap Tonight?
Tonight’s show looks to be another good one in the books. The X-Division Title is on the line in a Ladder Match! Alex Shelley defends against Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal, and Consequences Creed. Another title on the line is the Tag Titles as the Rock and Rave Infection will challenge Beer Money, while putting their careers on the line. The Knockouts are in action as Taylor Wilde teams up with Madison Rayne to take on the Beautiful People and Sojourner Bolt teams with Rhaka Khan to face Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed! There will be more fireworks with the Main Event Mafia and as we near Destination X, more matches can and will be announced.
TNA Destination X Card
Confirmed Matches
As of today, no matches have been confirmed by TNA for Destination X.
Potential Matches
Ultimate X for the World Tag Team Titles – Beer Money v. Lethal Consequences v. The Motor City Machine Guns
Matt Morgan v. Abyss – Hardcore type match
Samoa Joe v. Scott Steiner
AJ Styles v. Booker T for the Legend’s Championship
Kurt Angle v. Sting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Sojourner Bolt v. Awesome Kong for the TNA Knockouts Championship
This Week in Wrestling
ECW / 10 Thoughts
RAW / 10 Thoughts
SmackDown
iMPACT / 10 Thoughts
On the Pulse
Ivan Rushfield talks about the Steamboat/Jericho promo from RAW and Beer Money’s “Off the Wagon” Challenge
Mark Allen talks about Colt Cabana, internet leaks, and Freddie Prinze, Jr.
Vinny T. talks about OMEGA in this week’s Alternate Reality.
Last, but not least, John Wiswell has your ROH fix.
Until Next Time
Don’t forget to watch iMPACT tonight as TNA will attempt to reach 2 million viewers. As always, keep it linked to the Pulse for news, rumors, and all kinds of great commentary. I’ll be back next week, same time, same channel. Keep it real and have a great weekend!
