* The Knockouts Title Tournament Begins (Sienna, Rosemary, Madison Rayne, Allie, KC Spinelli, and Laurel Van Ness will compete)
* Ishimori vs. Hakim Zane
* Matt Sydal vs. Tyson Dux
* James Storm vs. Texano
* Johnny Impact vs. Alberto El Patron
Category: TNA
Anthem/Impact Wrestling Executive Releases Statement On Matt Hardy’s “Breakdown”
Matt Hardy‘s “breakdown” on Raw this week seemed to indicate that a version of his “Broken Matt” persona is on the way and Impact Wrestling exec Ed Nordholm has released a statement about it.
Nordholm told Sports Illustrated, “We have seen the character development and will be interested to see where they take the concept.”
Ed continued, “Our new talent agreements all incorporate language that allow talent to continue to use their IMPACT persona after they leave the company. We are working with our legal team to amend our existing agreements to extend this to all of our current and former talent.”
Despite the public trademark battle with Matt this year, it seems like they’ve changed their stance.
SI also claims that the recent tease for a Broken Matt-like character isn’t false hope. The publication reports that WWE is creating a character that will not be labeled as Broken, but similar.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Update On ‘Broken Matt Hardy’ Trademark
According to PWInsider, there’s an update on the “Broken Matt Hardy” trademark where it’s been published for opposition on December 19. This means any parties that want to challenge have 30 days to do so. If there aren’t any, then Matt Hardy will have ownership and can use it within or outside of WWE. Since leaving for WWE, there’s been a long intellectual property battle between Hardy and Impact Wrestling’s parent company, Anthem, where Hardy even offered to outright pay $10k-$15k for the gimmick.
Source: WrestlingINC
Lucha Underground Season 4 Update, Talent Exclusivity Will Be ‘Relaxed’
The executive producer of Lucha Underground has acknowledged it wasn’t fair to keep talent off TV for up to a year between seasons, so he claims their exclusivity going forward will be “relaxed.”
Eric Van Wagenen told the Masks, Mats & Mayhem show that they’ll be easing up on where people will be allowed to work because no one on their team expected LU to have a hiatus that lasted over one year and it isn’t beneficial for either sides if a wrestler is kept off TV for that long.
“The Lucha Underground LLC partners are going to do a talent exchange with Impact, with Ring of Honor, with NOAH in Japan, Stardom.” Wagenen continued, “This is all under Dorian’s control, but we’re definitely gonna start letting our guys branch out. We’re gonna try to help negotiate relationships with other promotions so that our guys can get more TV exposure.”
He also noted that they were initially territorial … but due to the relationship with Impact Wrestling, they’ve now realized it only helps their company.
In regards to unhappy talent though, the Lucha EP says they’ve had release requests and they’ll be happy to grant them once the characters can be written out of storylines.
As for Rey Fenix and Pentagon Dark, Eric says he believes they’ll be back for Season 4.
Check out the full interview below:
Impact Wrestling Preview 11/16/17
* Impact Global Championship: (C) Eli Drake vs. Petey Williams
* Impact Tag Team Champions oVe & Sami Callihan vs. LAX w/Konnan
* Knockouts Champion Gail Kim with a special announcement
* Impact Grand Championship: (C) EC3 vs. Fallah Bahh
* Lashley and American Top Team
* X-Division Champion Trevor Lee, Taiji Ishimori & Caleb Konley vs. Sonjay Dutt, Desmond Xavier & Garza Jr.
Konnan Announced As Head Writer For New Lucha Libre Project, Ex-Impact Producers Involved
Aroluxe Media announced yesterday that Carlos “Konnan” Ashenoff will lead the writing team for its upcoming Lucha Libre project.
For those who may recall, Aroluxe was funding episodes of Impact in exchange for ownership shares in TNA and at one time tried to purchase the company.
Konnan currently runs The Crash in Mexico and is featured on Impact Wrestling with LAX.
Former TNA wrestlers Ron and Don Harris are also involved with Aro Lucha.
Below is is details on the announcement:
LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) NOVEMBER 15, 2017
Arolucha, Inc. announced today that Carlos “Konnan” Ashenoff will lead the writing team for its upcoming Lucha Libre project. Effective November 1st, 2017, Konnan will lead the writing team to produce character-driven, authentic, and original storylines for the Aro Lucha world of Lucha Libre.
Konnan is regarded as one of the brightest and most creative minds in the wrestling and sports entertainment industry. Spanning over 3 decades, Konnan’s career has ranged from professional wrestler and on-screen talent, to color commentator, booker and creative consultant. He has worked for nearly all major professional wrestling organizations including AAA, CMLL, WCW, Impact, and WWE.
“When you’re creating an authentic Lucha Libre product in the United States, I’m not sure if there is any other person you want at the core of your company than Carlos, (Konnan)” said Jason Brown, CEO or AroLucha, Inc, “He brings an authenticity and a knowledgebase to the project that is unmatched.”
Konnan is best known to his legion of fans as one of the biggest box office draws in the history of Mexico. Breaking attendance records as the main event in virtually every major city, including Mexico City and Los Angeles. Although his success as a professional wrestler launched Konnan’s career, his lasting impact on the industry continues through his own Mexico-based promotion, The Crash Lucha Libre, where he is co-owner, lead writer, and executive producer. Konnan has a keen eye for talent, bringing to light the likes of Rey Mysterio and Psychosis, and more recently Penta Zero M and Rey Fenix. He continues to influence and foster young talent through his perpetual support of Hispanic performers within the professional wrestling industry.
“Carlos loves this industry. He has given his life to professional wrestling and there is no one else that we could see as a better partner within the US,” said Ron Harris of Aro Lucha.
For more information visit arolucha.com.
Press Contacts:
For AroLucha, Inc
Luis Quintanta
social(at)arolucha(dot)comAbout AroLucha, Inc.
Aro Lucha is a high energy, family-friendly Lucha Libre promotion based in the United States. Its principals have produced over 200 hours of network television, specifically in the professional wrestling arena. They are focused on bringing authentic Stars, Characters, and Storylines to their fans through live events, social media, and digital content. Aro Lucha is a company that fans can be proud to support.
Impact Wrestling Removes Several Names From Their Active Roster
Alisha Edwards, Swoggle (f.k.a. Hornswoggle in WWE), The Veterans of War (Mayweather & Wilcox) and Mahabali Shera have all been removed from the active roster of Impact Wrestling.
Shera had been with Impact Wrestling since 2014. He last wrestled for the company at their tapings in India this past May, where he won a Gauntlet match for the inaugural Sony SIX Invitational Trophy.
Alisha Edwards, the wife of Eddie Edwards, debuted this past February and was involved in a feud with husband Eddie against Davey Richards and his wife, Angelina Love. Her last match with the promotion was teaming with Eddie to defeat Davey & Angelina in a “Mixed Tag Team Full Metal Mayhem” match this past July.
Swoggle made his Impact Wrestling debut as part of the “Total Nonstop Deletion” episode last December. He spent much of the year feuding with with Rockstar Spud, who also recently parted ways with the company. His last match for the company was defeating Spud at the Impact Wrestling tapings in India this past Pay.
The Veterans of War debuted this past April and consisted of Mayweather (f.k.a. Crimson) and Wilcox (f.k.a. Jax Dane in ROH). Impact Wrestling had officially announced their signing this past May.
Source: WrestlingINC
Paige Declares She’s Now Single (VIDEO)
The very public relationship between Paige and Alberto El Patron seems to be finished … because Thursday night on Snapchat the soon-to-return WWE Superstar said she’s single.
Paige’s friend Jenna posted a video Thursday night on Snapchat in which the WWE star says, “this is why I’m single” while joking around about another couple who were making out.
Sources had told Pro Wrestling Sheet that the couple recently broke up and that it seemed like their engagement was officially called off, but attempts to reach her and Alberto to confirm were unsuccessful.
PWS Editor-in-Chief Ryan Satin discussed this on the latest Wrestling Sheet Radio, as well as all the other top stories of the week. A clip of that conversation can be HEARD HERE.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
You can see the video at the link below:
James Storm Departs Impact Wrestling, Gives Goodbye Speech At TV Taping (Video)
After fifteen years with the company, James Storm is saying goodbye to Impact Wrestling — and the wrestler thanked Dixie Carter during his farewell speech at last night’s TV taping.
Sources with direct knowledge tell Pro Wrestling Sheet that Storm’s exit is legit. We’re told he recently made the decision to depart when his next contract option came around for multiple reasons.
During his goodbye speech at the TV taping in Ottawa on Thursday, The Cowboy thanked the fans for their support. He also thanked Dixie Carter, Jeff Jarrett and Bob Ryder — but not Anthem Sports.
Sources tell PWS that Storm is free to negotiate elsewhere starting today, but right now there’s no current word on his plans for the future.
Watch the video of his farewell below:
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Impact Wrestling Preview 11/9/17
* Fallout from Sunday’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view.
* The feud between Moose & Stephan Bonnar vs. American Top Team will continue this week after the Six Sides of Steel match at Bound For Glory, which saw Bobby Lashley and King Mo defeat Moose and Bonnar.
* Johnny Impact to call out Alberto El Patron
Wrestling News Blog 