Source: WrestlingINC
It looks like another veteran TNA Knockout is done with the company as Velvet Sky may be finishing up this week.
Word from last night’s Impact Wrestling tapings in Orlando is that Velvet is done with the company, according to PWInsider. It’s possible she works the rest of this week’s tapings but it’s believed she’s not staying.
I Quit Match: Jeff Hardy VS Matt Hardy
Ladder Match for control of the Knockouts: Maria Kanellis, Gail Kim, Jade, Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, Marti Bell & Rebel
X-Division Championship – Triple Threat: (C) Tevor Lee w/Gregory Shane Helms VS Eddie Edwards VS DJ Z
Source: WrestlingINC
F4WOnline reports that the group that’s a favorite to take control of TNA is Aroluxe Marketing, which former wrestlers Ron and Don Harris are involved with as main officers, according to Wrestling Observer Radio. The Harris Twins, who have worked for WWE, ECW, WCW and TNA, have been helping with TNA production for several months now.
Aroluxe is actually helping to fund TNA as they put up money for the last set of Impact Wrestling tapings, and probably will do the same for the tapings that begin later this week.
It was noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Dixie Carter has other deals she’s working on but word is that the other people she’s talking with don’t like her terms. Dixie reportedly wants to retain control of the company with 51% of ownership. Dixie is trying to make money on the deal and still own a majority of the company, which is going to be hard to do.
As noted, the feeling is something has to happen soon as the company is essentially out of money. We will keep you updated on any developments.
Source: WrestlingINC
We’ve noted how TNA continues to meet with potential investors and partners. The company returns to Universal Studios for more TV tapings this coming week and according to F4WOnline, there’s a feeling in the office that whatever happens will happen soon and that there will be changes made.
It was described as a situation where TNA is approaching the 11th hour regarding a new deal with investors. There is said to be one group, which is the favorite to end up with the company, but there is also another party that is still involved but said to be a long shot. The favorites reportedly have two people with TNA, that have wrestling experience, among them.
F4Wonline.com also noted that Dixie Carter is trying to negotiate a deal that will see her keep control of the company but the majority of it will be sold one way or another.
TNA was reportedly evicted from their current offices at Cummins Station in Nashville and will be moving all operations to a 20-25,000 square foot warehouse that ShopTNA.com has been using at the end of this month. Production will be moving to NorthStar Productions in the same city because there is no room for TV production at the warehouse.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the company fell behind on rent and could no longer afford to stay at the Cummins Station location. They previously moved the offices to the basement where TV production was done as a cost-cutting move but fell behind and were essentially evicted, effective at the end of this month. The company had known about the move for some time.
TNA officials continue to talk with potential investors and partners. The Observer reports that new potential investors are in play and have put money into keeping TNA TV going but it does not look like they have purchased an interest in the company yet.
There is a deal that reportedly revolves around which side ends up with controlling interest, something TNA obviously does not want to give up. However, there’s a feeling that TNA needs the deal to happen just so they can survive, which gives the investors a lot of leverage to gain controlling interest.
Scheduled for tonight’s Impact Wrestling on Pop TV:
Beer Money continues to put their title’s on the line issuing and open challenge to any IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team. Who will take them up on it and show up at Beer:30 to face the IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champions Beer Money?
Drew Galloway & Jeff Hardy VS Matt Hardy & Tyrus
EC3 VS “The Miracle” Mike Bennett w/ Maria Kanellis
Madison Rayne VS TNA Knockouts Champion Jade
Source: WrestlingINC
POP TV will no longer air the TNA Impact Wrestling replays on late Tuesday nights beginning this week. The only airing on Tuesdays will be the 9pm EST airing.
POP now has the movie “Ghost Writer” scheduled to air after Impact tonight.
The weekly Impact replay will now air on Saturday mornings at 11:30am EST, beginning this coming weekend.
Source: WrestlingINC
TNA received a cease & desist letter last month from Ohio indie wrestler Justin Carnes, who wrestled under the name Krimson (an evil clown) and has actually worked for TNA as an enhancement talent, in regards to the Crazzy Steve character and The Decay stable, according to PWInsider. Carnes has also worked under the name Conrad Kennedy III.
Carnes claims that elements of Steve’s performance have been lifted from his work as Krimson, including Steve’s mannerisms, costumes, face paint and the red mist. Carnes also says he created a stable called “Dead Wrestler’s Society” in 2010 and Steve ripped that idea off in TNA.
The cease & desist asks TNA to stop all usage of the copyrights Carnes claims to own, and asks that the company acknowledge in writing that they will comply by April 6th, which was Wednesday. It also noted that Carnes may pursue legal action if TNA doesn’t comply.
No word yet on what TNA plans to do but their legal team has the letter. Steve has been with the company since 2014 and is the current TNA Tag Team Champion with Abyss.
Tonight on Impact Wrestling on Pop TV:
TNA World Heavyweight Championship: (C) Drew Galloway VS Matt Hardy
Revenge 6-Sides of Steel: Jeff Hardy VS Eric Young
Street Fight: Lashley VS Pope
TNA Knockouts Championship: (C) Gail Kim VS Jade VS Madison Rayne
Source: WrestlingINC
F4WOnline’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that there are said to be very serious talks going on in regards to TNA bringing on a new investor. The new party wants to purchase 55% of the company but Dixie Carter is trying to negotiate them having 49% so she keeps controlling power.
TNA has to live on their own money these days, which is making things tight, and The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the investor may already be involved in a limited role.
The Observer also reported that one of the reasons the last set of Impact Wrestling tapings was announced so late is because they can’t officially announce Universal dates until Universal receives a deposit. That also may be why the mid-April tapings weren’t officially announced until weeks after they were first mentioned to talents.
There are also still rumors of TNA pay issues and one contributing factor is that the revenue sharing on advertising with POP TV has been bleak, due to the low ratings, and it has been very hard to sell TNA-specific ads.
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