Update On TNA Negotiations

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.

Tommy Dreamer & Former ECW Stars Pay Tribute To Balls Mahoney At House Of Hardcore Show

Source: WrestleView.com

Tommy Dreamer, Rhyno, Shane Douglas, Rob Van Dam, Joel Gertner, The Blue Meanie, Danny Doring, Stephen DeAngelis, Ron Buffone and talent booked on the show (outside) took part in a tribute to the late Balls Mahoney at last night’s House of Hardcore event in Philadelphia at the former ECW Arena.

Total Bellas To Premiere In October

Source: WrestlingINC

E! will premiere the “Total Bellas” docu-series this fall with The Bella Twins, Daniel Bryan, John Cena, John Laurinaitis and others in their family featured. It was mentioned on tonight’s RAW that the show will premiere in October. As noted, there will be 6 one-hour episodes.

 

Shane McMahon Confirmed For Tonight’s WWE RAW

Shane McMahon will be running WWE RAW for the third week in a row on tonight’s show from London. Taping for tonight’s show will begin soon. Shane tweeted the following for tonight’s event:

RAW Preview: 4/18/16

Source: WWE.com

Will Shane McMahon be in control of RAW again this week, or will The Authority be back to put a stop to Shane’s tenure as Raw showrunner?

Will rivalries with Jericho, Zayn, Owens and Ambrose reach a boiling point?

Can Reigns continue to silence his critics as “the guy” in WWE?

Is Emma in for an Irish Lass Kicking?

Who will advance in the No. 1 Contenders’ Tag Team Tournament?

 

Major Changes Coming To TNA Soon?

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.

WWE Suspends Adam Rose & Konnor

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE announced Saturday that Adam Rose and Konnor have each been suspended 60 days effective immediately for a second violation of the company’s Talent Wellness Program, it was the first time WWE had announced a suspension for either wrestler.

According to Dave Meltzer of  F4WOnline, Konnor’s first suspension was in 2006, a year before WWE announced that all violations of the Talent Wellness Program would be made public — he was working as a developmental wrestler at the time in Deep South Wrestling. Meltzer also says Rose was suspended in 2013. WWE, however, never made a public announcement about that suspension. Like Konnor, Rose was a developmental wrestler at the time of his first suspension.

Jim Cornette Skeptical On How Shinsuke Nakamura Will Fare On WWE Main Roster

Source: The Ross Report via WrestlingINC

Recently on The Ross Report, WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross welcomed professional wrestling veteran Jim Cornette to the podcast. Among other things, Cornette claimed that Shinsuke Nakamura will be only as big of a star in WWE as Vince McMahon will allow him to be.

According to Cornette, Nakamura will be a big hit for NXT; however, the leader of the Cult of Cornette remains skeptical about how ‘The King Of Strong Style’ will be presented on WWE’s main roster, given McMahon’s poor history with international stars.

“I think it comes down to he will be a superstar in NXT and people are going to love him whenever he appears with that brand. And when he gets to the main roster, I’ve got to be honest with you, I think it depends on how Vince sees him.

“Obviously, everything [in WWE] depends on how Vince sees something, but he hasn’t had the best track record, and I’ll tell you, it’s not a racist thing with international stars, whether it be luchadores, whether it be Japanese talent, [or] whether it be anybody from Europe. Sometimes, the chairman does not understand what they have meant to their world because he’s so isolated in his and he tries, possibly, to remake them in the image that he perceives for them. That may not work. I think a guy like Nakamura’s another guy like [Steve] Austin and Brock [Lesnar] and essentially the more he’s himself and he’s allowed to do his thing, the better off he’ll be.”

Lyoto Machida Pulled From FOX Card After Drug Violation, New Co-Main, Sarah Kaufman Contract

Source: WrestlingINC

Ariel Helwani revealed on this week’s episode of The MMA Hour that former Strikeforce Bantamweight Champion Sarah Kaufman is no longer under contract to the UFC. Kaufman was removed from the UFC’s official rankings this week as well.

The UFC has yet another former Champion on the shelf following a USADA drug violation, and this time it canceled a fight. Former Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida had his fight from this Saturday’s UFC on Fox 19 show pulled after he disclosed he had been using DHEA on his pre-fight drug screen. Machida claimed that the supplement was banned in 2016, which isn’t true.

Current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier commented on all of the recent suspensions on UFC Tonight, saying “This is not the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) pushing themselves into the sport for no reason. The UFC sought them out. They brought them in to clean this sport up and they are doing that.”

With Lyoto Machida vs. Dan Henderson pulled from this weekend’s UFC on Fox show, Rose Namajunas vs. Tecia Torres has been promoted to the co-main event. UFC posted this video of the former title challenger Namajunas preparing for the fight.

 

SmackDown Preview: 4/14/16

Source: WWE.com

Tonight on SmackDown, the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’ Tournament, sponsored by Booty-O’s, rolls on with two highly intriguing showdowns:

Golden Truth VS The Vaudevillains

Enzo Amore & Big Cass VS The Assension

It is also worth mentioning other outside forces may be in play in both these contests. Following Monday’s stunning post-match assault on The Usos, it will be interesting to see if the emerging Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson choose to add their own brand of brutality to more tournament matches or whether their aggression is focused solely fixed on Jimmy and Jey?

The Miz and his wife Maryse will kickoff SmackDown with Miz TV

AJ Styles VS Alberto Del Rio

Chris Jericho VS Sammi Zayn

Emma VS Paige