PWInsider reports that there was talk within TNA at the offices in Nashville last week that Impact Wrestling may be moving to Wednesday nights at 9pm ET, possible as soon as June.
There has been concern lately about how Impact viewership on Destination America will hold up on Friday nights during the summer months.
Dave Meltzer noted on Wednesday nights Wrestling Observer Radio that TNA did a fresh taping for May 22nd, but it will only air internationally. Destination America did not want to air a show for Memorial Day so the 2014 Slammiversary will air instead. TNA filmed the show knowing this, so the May 22nd show was filmed without a lot of storyline advancement. Meltzer affirms that Destination America has lost interest in the product in recent months.
Bully Ray called into Busted Open Radio on Monday and talked about his one-off return to TNA this past Friday. Bully said it was a one shot deal, TNA called and asked if he would want to come in and be the special guest referee for the World Title match and he said he would do it. He talked about how at this point in his life that he has the freedom to do want he wants. Her said he digs being able to do smaller shows around the U.S. or going back and doing things like the WWE Royal Rumble or going back and being a referee for a Title match in TNA.
Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer appeared on last night’s Live Audio Wrestling to talk about current issues in TNA. As noted earlier Bully Ray’s return was apparently a one-off deal. Meltzer noted that any long-term return hinges on TNA being able to give Bully a good financial deal which the company may not be in position to do right now. Bully’s big surprise return was done to help with ratings.
Meltzer noted that Destination America is having “buyer’s remorse” with their TNA deal, with the issue being with ratings and ad sales. While TNA programming does good ratings for the network, Destination America was expecting to get far more of the Spike TV viewership and thought TNA’s loyal fan base would follow them to another channel.
It’s being reported that TNA President Dixie Carter is working on a possible reality TV show. It was first reported back in January 2014 that TNA’s production team began working on a demo reel for a potential Dixie reality TV show with the idea it would be shopped around to networks.
Dixie had a film crew following her around at Friday’s Impact tapings, presumably for a reality TV show that she has been trying to get off the ground.
Dixie previously tried to get on The Real Housewives of Nashville reality show.
Bully Ray and Velvet Sky both made their return to TNA Impact Wrestling this past Friday on a live episode of Impact on Destination America.
It was good to see them back in TNA. I wasn’t able see Impact Friday because I don’t get Destination America on my cable, but I was able to view the show later over the weekend via On Demand.
Velvet made her return in a segment with her former BFF and partner Angelina Love. Angelina was in the ring running her mouth about how she is the greatest Knockout and how she is the only beautiful person in TNA. Angelina spotted Velvet in the crowd and asks why she is her because she was fired. Velvet had a new biker chick look with purple and red hair. Velvet was just staring at Angelina. Velvet entered the ring. Angelina tried to make nice and hugged her but Velvet wasn’t having any part of it. Angelina then accused Velvet of trying to upstage her and that Velvet is nothing without her. Velvet attacked Angelina choking her with her own hair. Security came in and pulled Velvet off of Angelina.
Billy made his return at the top of the show when Eric Young was in the ring demanding to know who the special guest referee was going to be for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship match. Bully’s music hit and he came out and delivered his classic line – “Do you know who I Am.” Bully announced that he is the special guest referee. Later during the main event, EY hit Bully with a low blow then attempted to piledrive him but Bully countered with a back drop. Bully continued to call the match fairly and eventually Kurt Angle locked in the ankle lock on EY making EY tap out. Bully raised Angle’s hand in victory.
I’m looking forward to seeing what plans TNA may have for Velvet going forward. I would like to see more of Bully in TNA but according to PWInsider, Bully’s appearance was a one-off deal and he hasn’t signed a new deal with the company. According to PWInsider, Velvet will be back in TNA on a regular basis.
TNA President Dixie Carter posted a picture of her with Steve Austin and announced that she will be on Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast this Tuesday at Podcastone.com.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that one TNA wrestler got so agitated over his late pay, he threatened to quit and would go work for Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling. Apparently the issue got straightened out quickly.
Eddie Edwards who has been out of action from a broken heel injury returned to the ring on April 25 for Super Smash Wrestling. He was expected to be out until May. Edwards should be back in action at the upcoming TNA tapings in May.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter via WrestlingINC.com
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