Category: TNA

Impact Wrestling Launches Their New Global Wrestling Network (Video)

Image result for Impact Wrestling GWN

It didn’t arrive in September as originally announced (at least, not on purpose), but the Global Wrestling Network (GWN) is here. The streaming service is a key part of Anthem Entertainment’s plan to make money off of Global Force Impact Wrestling, its tape library and current roster.

In addition to the free tier which will give users access to the latest Impact and Xplosionepisodes, the pay service includes old episodes and pay-per-view (PPV) events – many of which feature current WWE talent like Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles. PWInsider reports that, in an effort to position GWN as the alternative to WWE Network, Anthem’s app “also features material from Scott D’Amore’s Border City Wrestling, Aaron Weiss’ Pro Wrestling Superstars PPV series, Canadian independent promotion Smash Wrestling, and Wrestling at the Chase, classic content from the old St. Louis territory.”

Here’s the company’s official press release:

Anthem Launches Global Wrestling Network
Multi-Platform Digital Service

NASHVILLE | TORONTO – Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., the parent company of IMPACT Wrestling, announced today the launch of the Global Wrestling Network, a multi-platform digital service designed to give fans around the world instant 24-hour access to the extensive IMPACT Wrestling library, including every classic pay-per-view event, groundbreaking original series, reality shows and documentaries, exclusive events and cards from international promotions and partners, classic content from old territories, over 1,000 hours of original programming, plus the ability to purchase premium live pay-per-view events.

Global Wrestling Network will be available on all major over-the-top (OTT) platforms and devices, including web at GlobalWrestlingNetwork.com, iOS and Android, and coming soon to Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV and Smart TVs. A premium subscription will be priced at just US$7.99 per month with a 30-day free trial for new members.

Members will also have free access to episodes of the weekly flagship show IMPACT!, as well as new weekly episodes of Xplosion and other original digital content featuring top professional wrestling stars, including Eli Drake, Bobby Lashley, EC3, Eddie Edwards, James Storm, the high-flying X-Division, the lovely and lethal Knockouts, including Sienna, Rosemary and Gail Kim, and talent from international partner promotions such as Johnny Impact, Naomichi Marufuji and El Hijo del Fantasma.

“Within just one year, we have made tremendous progress by re-branding and re-energizing the IMPACT Wrestling product,” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling. “The launch of the Global Wrestling Network marks a significant milestone in the brand’s digital growth and international expansion. Working with our partners, GWN will create, acquire and curate content from various promotions around the globe to become the leading provider of independent professional wrestling content in the world.”

Programming from IMPACT Wrestling’s 15-year library showcases household industry names such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting, Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, Jeff Jarrett, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode and many more.

For more information, visit www.impactwrestling.com and www.globalwrestlingnetwork.com.

Source: CageSideSeats

 

Global Wrestling Network Available NowThe Global Wrestling Network is live as of right now. Right now you have access to the history of this incredible company at your fingertips. In a time where instant gratification is the new normal, GWN has arrived at the perfect time. All the moments, matches, championship celebrations and more are at your disposal to relive, remember and appreciate everything IMPACT has accomplished over the past 16 years.

Many of us look back and remember the destruction that Aces and Eights brought to IMPACT or the time Bully Ray actually put Dixie Carter through a table. How about the incredible matches that Team 3D had with The Wolves and The Hardy Brothers? The rise of EC3? The fall of Decay? It is all there. All ready to be relived over and over again.

For a small monthly fee you can really experience all that GWN has to offer with more additions coming each month. We can’t wait for you to experience all that GWN has to offer!

GET GWN HERE: http://impac.tw/gwnnow

Impact Wrestling Preview 10/5/17

* The Fallout from Victory Road and Bound For Glory continues to take shape

* Knockouts Champion Sienna addresses the division

* New Tag Team Champions oVe will be in action

* Petey Williams, Sonjay Dutt and Matt Sydal vs. Caleb Konley, Andrew Everett and X Division Champion Trevor Lee

* James Storm and Impact Grand Champion Ethan Carter III vs. Texano Jr. and El Hijo del Fantasma

Billy Corgan On The ‘Backstabbing And Lies’ In TNA, Attempting To Work With Anthem, NWA Purchase

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Billy Corgan spoke with Sports Illustrated‘s “Extra Mustard” section on a number of wrestling topics surrounding his purchase of NWA and his time with TNA. Here are some of the highlights:

Purchasing NWA and taking the long approach with it:

“We want to be part of a new revolution of how wrestling can be consumed by fans and matches can be presented. This NWA brand dates back to 1948. The past few years have not been as kind as we would have liked, but we plan on building this into a powerhouse over time. Our focus is on the NWA plan, and we have a 20-year plan. We’re not going to just come in and throw money around for two years. We’ve learned from the past mistakes of TNA, which we have intimate knowledge of. We’re armed with this knowledge, and we’re setting out to rebuild the brand so a fan that currently doesn’t know anything about the NWA will respect the tradition and also respect what we’re trying to accomplish, like a Ring of Honor or a New Japan. That’s where we are starting, and we’re building from there.”

Trying to work out a deal that would benefit both Anthem and the NWA:

“We’ve made various overtures to Anthem along the way and they’ve made various overtures to me. We haven’t found anything that is ideal, and I’m a firm believer that if a deal doesn’t go both ways, then it’s not a good deal to make. If the NWA was going to be involved in some level with Anthem, we’d want it to be a good way all the way around. We made a very aggressive offer in the last month to go in and help reboot the company. We’d have helped Impact stay more in the lane of the traditional Impact brand, and then set up the NWA as a natural rival, a la Raw versus SmackDown. Unfortunately, we didn’t get where we wanted with that offer.”

Frustration during his time with TNA:

“I was very, very frustrated by the obstacles I faced internally, both culturally and fiscally, at TNA. I dealt with a lot of backstabbing and lies. I was able to push through some things that ended up being successful at TNA, and I was very frustrated because you would think the success would have led to more leverage and further opportunities. But it was exactly the opposite. People were out to get me because I had power. At least now, in this situation, I am my own boss. You have to build your own infrastructure from the bottom up and work with people you really trust. The traditional ‘carny’ aspect of the wrestling business that plagues a lot of companies, and has plagued a company like TNA, are problems that hold the business back. You can’t run an effective business if it’s like Game of Thrones every week.”

You can read the full interview by clicking here.

Source: WrestlingINC

Impact Wrestling Departures Coming Soon?

There has been talk that some Impact Wrestling departures will be confirmed soon, according to PWInsider. There’s also talk that some talents aren’t getting calls back from officials when they have questions as of late. Regarding potential departures, Low Ki and Eddie Kingston’s deals are set to expire soon but apparently there may be other talents leaving the company.

Source: WrestlingINC

GFW Impact Wrestling Victory Road Preview 9/28/17

The following matches have been announced for tonight’s Victory Road edition of Impact Wrestling:

* GFW Global Championship: (C) Eli Drake vs. Johnny Impact

* GFW World Tag Team championship: (C) LAX vs. oVe

* Gail Kim, Rosemary & Allie vs. Taya Valkyrie, Taryn Terrell & Sienna

* X-Division Championship: (C) Trevor Lee vs. Petey Williams

Backstage Notes On Another Re-Branding For Impact Wrestling, The GFW Name, Bound For Glory Issues

Company officials have confirmed to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the GFW name is being phased out of the Impact Wrestling brand. The recent Bound For Glory press release listed the company as Impact Wrestling, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corporation.

While the company announced the GFW – Impact merger months ago, the deal had not been completed and with Jeff Jarrett on an indefinite leave, the name that Jarrett owns is no longer being used. Regarding Jeff’s status, the company may say publicly that Jarrett will be back but privately, no one is certain of anything.

One of Anthem’s long-term goals is to make Impact a Canadian company, because Anthem is based in Toronto and because of some potential economic advantages. There had been some sentiment against another re-branding and continuing to use the GFW name but it appears that is no longer an issue moving forward. There’s a feeling that the company wants to re-brand itself and get away from the negativity associated with the TNA says but they will always be seen as TNA as long as they are based in Orlando.

It will be interesting to see how they pull off the November 5th Bound For Glory pay-per-view in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada as the Aberdeen Pavilion isn’t really an arena – it’s normally used to host wine shows, senior citizen breakfasts, trade fairs and other small-time events. The company will have to do some minor construction as there are no dressing rooms and just a few bathrooms in the building. There are also no bleachers, just a flat floor with room for 2,800 seats. The current internal goal is for them to sell around 500 tickets per night, for Bound For Glory and then the TV tapings that week.

Source: WrestlingINC

GFW Impact Preview 9/21/17

* Global Champion Eli Drake vs. Máscara de Bronce From AAA in Mexico

* Eddie Edwards and Ethan Carter III vs. Pagano and El Hijo del Fantasma

* Taya Valkyrie vs. Ava Storie

* Kongo Kong vs. Mahabali Shera

Jim Cornette Done With GFW, Backstage News On Why He Was Brought Back And His Departure

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As noted, Impact Wrestling announced today that the November 5th Bound For Glory pay-per-view will take place from the Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. There will also be TV tapings at the same venue from November 6th through the 10th.

Jim Cornette will not be working Bound For Glory or the TV tapings as he’s now done with the company, according to F4Wonline.com. Cornette has not been to Canada since before 2010 after being turned away at the border due to his record that has arrests from years ago. Cornette says there’s no heat over his departure and that it’s just a matter of circumstances.

Cornette noted to F4Wonline.com that he came to the company after Jeff Jarrett called him in August, to work just one set of TV to help further a few storylines – stripping Alberto El Patron of the World Heavyweight Title, the on-screen firing of Bruce Prichard to set up his return as a heel manager and to try and get Anthem over as babyfaces to wrestling fans. Cornette worked that first set of tapings and then agreed with Jarrett that he would come back to work Bound For Glory, then the November TV tapings.

It was also noted that with Jarrett gone, the current creative team is focusing more on in-ring action and less on authority figure storylines. Sonjay Dutt and Scott D’Amore are currently leading the writing team.

Cornette’s status with the company was up in the air due to Jarrett’s indefinite leave of absence and he had not heard from anyone except Bob Ryder, who told him not to believe what he read online. Cornette also spoke to Dutch Mantell, explaining that he would ont be able to appear at the pay-per-view or the tapings since they were being held in Canada. Cornette agreed to come to Nashville and do whatever he needed to do on camera for his storyline exit but as of now, there are no plans for him.

Source: WrestlingINC

Impact Wrestling Official ‘Bound For Glory’ Announcement, No References To GFW

Image result for Impact bound for glory coming to Ottawa, Canada Nov, 5, Youtube

Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. sent us the following press release officially announcing Bound For Glory for November 5th in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It should be noted that there are no references to Global Force Wrestling and GFW in the announcement. As noted, Jeff Jarrett, who is currently on a leave of absence from Impact Wrestling, is still believed to own the rights to the GFW name.

Anthem also sent the Bound For Glory promotional image at the end of this post, which doesn’t feature any GFW branding. There is also no GFW branding in the promotional video for the event.

IMPACT Wrestling Announces ‘Bound for Glory’ Set for Nov. 5 in Ottawa, Canada Exclusively on PPVNASHVILLE | TORONTO – IMPACT Wrestling, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., announced today that Bound for Glory, its premier annual pay-per-view event, will be broadcast from the historic Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, November 5, 2017.

The Aberdeen Pavilion will also play host to five days of IMPACT television tapings from Nov. 6 to Nov. 10. Ticket on-sale information for Bound for Glory and IMPACT will be revealed in the coming weeks.

“We are ecstatic and honored to bring our blockbuster event Bound for Glory to a Canadian venue rooted in cultural heritage and tradition,” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling. “Our loyal Canadian viewers on Fight Network and GameTV have been vocal supporters of IMPACT Wrestling over the years and we thought the nation’s capital would be a fitting place to stage our biggest event of the year. Canadian professional wrestling crowds have a reputation for their energy and enthusiasm, so we are excited to bring them an unforgettable night of action.”

Bound for Glory will feature World Champion Eli Drake, former champion Alberto el Patron and Johnny Impact, the holder of the Mega, Latin American and World Cruiserweight championship belts in Lucha Libre AAA, who will be making his inaugural Bound for Glory appearance. Bobby Lashley has unfinished business; will he return and will his cohorts from American Top Team, led by owner Dan Lambert, continue to meddle with his career? The Knockouts will collide as Hall of Famer Gail Kim works through her final year in professional wrestling, and the stars of the X-Division will bring their high-flying brand of athletics to the ring. International talent for the event will include El Hijo del Fantasma, Pagano and El Texano Jr. from Lucha Libre AAA.

Located in Lansdowne Park, the historic fairgrounds of Canada’s national capital, the 33,000-square foot Aberdeen Pavilion is an Ottawa landmark, which has been home to many significant events throughout the city’s history, including Stanley Cup challenge matches in 1904. Built in 1898 and inspired by London’s Crystal Palace, the venue was designated a national historic site of Canada because it is the only large-scale exhibition building in Canada surviving from the 19th century.

Showcasing some of the biggest stars in professional wrestling, IMPACT airs on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Pop in the U.S., as well as Fight Network and GameTV across Canada.

Source: WrestlingINC

GFW Impact Preview 7/20/19

* Super X-Cup Tournament Match: Sammy Guevara vs. Drago

* Laredo Kid, Garza Jr. & Octagoncito vs. Idris Abraham, Trevor Lee & Demus

* Low Ki vs. Matt Sydal vs. El Hijo de Fantasma

* Eddie Edwards vs. Ethan Carter III vs. Eli Drake vs. Impact Grand Champion Moose

* GFW Knockouts Champion Sienna in action