Tag: TNA

Report – CM Punk Received ‘Major Money Offer’ From TNA/Impact Wrestling Ahead Of WWE Return

As many of you know by now, CM Punk made his return to WWE at Saturday night’s Survivor Series: War Games 2023 pay-per-view event at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL.

Pwinsider is reporting that Punk was considering a “major money offer” made by TNA/Impact Wrestling before finalizing his multi-year deal with WWE on Saturday.

According to the report, Punk was “amazing” during his discussions with TNA/Impact Wrestling, which included dealing with top executives such as Scott D’Amore and Lou D’Angeli.

Sources in Impact believed at one point that the promotion was very close to signing Punk and hoped he would appear at Bound for Glory 2023 as part of the announcement that Impact was rebranding back to TNA.

The conversations continued after Bound for Glory 2023 and people in Impact remained hopeful about bringing Punk in full-time.

However, Impact executives soon realized that Punk could earn a bigger paycheck in WWE, and they were happy for him.

Several Impact wrestlers appreciated the time Punk spent with them when he visited the TV tapings in Chicago, IL.

Source: eWn

Impact Wrestling Preview 11/16/2023

Tonight’s Impact Wrestling at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders.

  • Impact World Tag Team Championship: ABC (c) vs. Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
  • Will Ospreay vs. Josh Alexander
  • Sonny Kiss vs. Trinity
  • Steve Maclin & KiLynn King vs. Bully Ray & Jordynne Grace
  • Moose vs. Heath
  • The Rascalz vs. Laredo Kid, Black Taurus & Juventud Guerrera

Impact Wrestling Turning Point 11/3/2023 (Results)

Countdown: Rhino & Grado def. Mike D & Ryan Richards when Rhino hit the Gore for the pinfall win.

Countdown: Leon Slater def. Mark Haskins via pinfall following a 450 splash.

Josh Alexander & Eric Young vs. Subculture

Alexander and Webster start the bout with a lockup before quickening the pace by running around each other. EY comes in briefly to work Andrews before Josh returns with chops. Andrews turns things around and Subculture double teams Josh with standing moonsaults. EY gets the tag and he grounds Webster with a headlock. Josh works the arm of Webster before EY takes back over with clubbing blows in the corner. 

Andrews gets the hot tag and manages to take care of both Josh and EY at the same time, landing a Canadian Destroyer for a nearfall. Webster with an assisted Falcon Arrow, cover. Josh hits Andrews with a rolling senton, allowing EY to land the top rope elbow. Josh flattens Andrews right after and goes for the cover. Webster saves Andrews and all four men duke it out in the center. Josh and EY apply simultaneous Sharpshooters but Subculture reaches the bottom rope.

Andrews manages Stun Dog Millionaire on EY and then Josh, tag to Webster. Shadows Over Malice connects on EY, but he kicks out. EY rolls up Webster and then lands the piledriver, Andrews breaks it. EY dumps Andrews and tags Josh. Webster counters and whips EY into Josh’s crotch. Andrews backlsides Josh but then Josh plants him with the C4 Spike for the win.

Winners: Josh Alexander & Eric Young 

We see footage of Scott D’Amore offering Leon Slater a TNA contract. Slater cuts a promo backstage reacting to the news.

Gisele Shaw vs. Alex Windsor

They start off evenly matched with arm drags and dropkicks. They get back up and stare each other down as the crowd is split. Shaw dictates the pace with a kick to the back in the corner followed by a draping DDT for a cover. Shaw slides under Windsor and then hits a super kick. Windsor explodes off the ropes with a big clothesline and they both go down. Another round of back and forth ends with Shaw leaping off the ropes with a cutter for a two count.

Windsor grabs Shaw off the ropes with a spin out Blue Thunder Bomb, two count. Windsor hooks the leg but Shaw gets out and hits a twisting neckbreaker. Shaw goes for the running knee strike but Windsor ducks. Shaw kicks again and then hits the running knee to pin her for the three.

Winner: Gisele Shaw

Simon Miller cuts a promo backstage ahead of facing Joe Hendry.

Trey Miguel vs. Rich Swann

Trey takes Swann down with a headlock but Swann pivots to one of his own in the midst of their back and forth. They trade arm drags next and then come to a stand still with fists at the ready. They roll to the outside where Trey chops and then drives Swann spine first into the apron. Trey tries to get Swann counted out and then beats him up again on the outside to keep him down. Swann crawls back to the ring to beat the count again. Trey lands a single leg dropkick. 

Swann finally kicks Trey and goes for a cover. Trey yells in Swann’s face, prompting a chop to the chest. They trade several chops and then slaps before Swann pulls out a couple kicks, followed by a poisonrana from Trey. They superkick each other and both go down as TNA chants ring out. Trey delivers kicks across the chest and then hits a Lightning Spiral for a nearfall. Swann manages a cutter and then connects with the 450 splash from the top. The ref counts three as Trey doesn’t get his shoulder up in time.

Winner: Rich Swann

Dani Luna addresses being compared to Jordynne Grace.

Dani Luna vs. Jordynne Grace

They start with a handshake before they back each other into the ropes and roll out of the ring while still tied up. They barely beat the 10 count back in and are forced to split. They lock up again and they try shoulder-blocking each other. Grace hops over Luna and does a shoulder tackle, cover. Luna drops Grace over her shoulder and hits a low clothesline, cover. Both attempt suplexes but Luna rolls her up instead. Luna hoists Grace up for a suplex, cover.

Luna tries to whip Grace, but she clocks her with a backfist. Luna boots and they both try to clothesline each other, but it takes double headbutts for both to go down. Luna tosses Grace with a huge German and hits a clothesline for a nearfall. Grace picks up Luna for a running back body drop, cover. Grace hits a spinning back fist and then plants Luna with a Grace Driver for the win.

Winner: Jordynne Grace

Simon Miller cuts a promo in the ring ahead of his next match.

Simon Miller vs. Joe Hendry

Simon Miller cuts an in-ring promo before Hendry makes his entrance. Hendry quickly drops Miller despite the bell not being rang. Miller gets to his feet and runs around the ring. He tries for an elbow drop but Hendry avoids it. The ref officially rings the bell as Hendry spins Miller with a slam. Hendry lands a stalling suplex, cover. Miller avoids an elbow drop and attempts to fake an injury in order to sucker Hendry in. Miller applies a headlock but Hendry uppercuts free.

Miller flattens Hendry with a clothesline and then applies a body scissors on the mat. Hendry hoists Miller up for a big suplex. Hendry lands a cutter and delivers kicks across the chest. Miller gloats after taking Hendry down but Hendry pops back up and plants him with Standing Ovation to finish it.

Winner: Joe Hendry

We see footage from Gut Check 2023.

Moose & Brian Myers vs. Chris Sabin & Frankie Kazarian

Kazarian and Myers start the bout as Myers faces lots of chants from the Newcastle fans. They lock back up before Kaz hits a pair of arm drags into a hold. Sabin enters the match but is tasked with both Moose and Myers trying to double team him. Sabin hangs Myers upside down before Moose sends Sabin out. Kazarian sees the referee out and decides to fight Moose. Sabin and Kaz then pull Moose crotch-first into the apron to set up Myers falling on Moose’s face.

Myers takes Sabin down with a headlock before Moose comes in to prevent a tag. Kaz is knocked off the apron. Moose holds Sabin in the ropes. Kazarian finally gets the hot tag and slingshots Myers back inside with a cutter, cover. He hits a DDT and covers again for a two. Moose goes for a Urinagi on Sabin but Sabin rolls him up. Sabin pulls out a Code Red by Myers breaks the cover. Moose whacks Kazarian with a headbutt but then eats a cutter. 

Sabin tags Kaz officially and Kaz hits Moose with a backstabber. Kaz leaps out and goes for a hurricanrana but Moose throws him into the ring post. Myers spears Kazarian and rolls him back in. Myers goes for Roster Cut but Kaz attempts the chicken wing. Moose spears Kazarian and pins for the win.

Winners: Moose & Brian Myers

Knockouts World Championship: Trinity (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Gail Kim is serving as the special guest referee. If Purrazzo loses, she can’t challenge Trinity again.

Lock up to star and they back into the corner before splitting. Trinity targets the left arm and then Purrazzo reverses it. Trinity goes for a jackknife but Deonna quickly gets out. Deonna goes for clotheslines but Trinity ducks. They trade arm drags and hit double dropkicks as the crowd comes alive. Trinity tries for Starstruck but Purrazzo rolls out of the ring to regroup. They lock up again and Deonna takes the champ to the corner with a cheap shot to the throat.

Trinity shakes on Deonna and then slides in with an aggressive shove. Jumping splits connects, cover. Trinity locks up the left arm until Purrazzo breaks free and dropkicks her out of the ring. Deonna snaps the left arm, cover. Deonna twists Trinity to the mat and then locks up the left arm again for a bit. Deonna drives her knees and elbows into Trinity’s back before applying more pressure. Trinity leaps into the corner face first but then side steps Deonna into the post. 

Deonna regroups outside but returns to a single leg dropkick to the face. Trinity hits a spinning bulldog followed by clotheslines. Rear View connects, two count. Trinity leaps off the top, rolls through, and eats a pump kick. Trinity pulls out a Samoan Drop, kickout. Deonna applies the fujiwara armbar but Trinity manages to grab the bottom rope. They trade forearm shots until Trinity drops her on her back, cover. Purrazzo hits Queen’s Gambit for a nearfall and Deonna argues with Gail. 

Trinity clocks Deonna with a kick and then face plants her into Starstruck. Deonna rolls Trinity up out of it. Trinity hits the sit out buster and applies Starstruck again for the tapout.

Winner: Trinity (c)

Deonna attacks Trinity right after and then argues with Gail. Deonna shoves Gail twice prompting Gail to shove back. Gail slaps Deonna and then hits Eat Defeat to a big pop. Gail raises Trinity’s hand at the end.

Will Ospreay vs. Eddie Edwards

Lock up to start as they feel each other out. Eddie is whipped across the ring and then chopped in the corners. Ospreay asks Eddie to chop him harder and harder. Ospreay delivers a big forearm in return. Overhead belly to belly from Eddie sends Ospreay to the mat. Eddie delivers a knee to the midsection and then a suplex to ground Will again. He pivots to a headlock once pinfall attempts don’t work. Ospreay regains his footing and lands a flying forearm shot off the ropes.

Ospreay with a big chop and running boot sends Eddie rolling out. Ospreay launches out with a crossbody. Eddie manages to drive Ospreay into the apron to switch gears. Back inside, Eddie hits an enziguri as the crowd chants in favor of Will. Backpack stunner connects, cover. Eddie delivers more chest chops in the middle. Ospreay catches one chop and throws a forearm. Ospreay kicks off of Eddie but Eddie chops his back. Ospreay pulls out Stundog Millionaire and both go down.

Ospreay fires up and hits a running boot in the corner. He traps Eddie for a face kick. Ospreay gets shoved off the top but then he shoves Eddie back down. Ospreay tries for a flip but the connets with a Spanish Fly. Ospreay pulls out Oscutter for a two. Ospreay lands on his feet off a German and hits a hooking superkick. Eddie catches him with Blue Thunder Bomb but Will evades Boston Knee Party and Hidden Blade connects. Eddie no sells and hits Boston Knee Party for a TNA chant. 

They headbutt each other while face to face on the mat. Forearm shots continue. They continue trading chops and kicks until Eddie flattens him with a clothesline followed by Tiger Driver, nearfall. Eddie charges but gets flattened with Hidden Blade. Ospreay plants Eddie with Styles Clash for a nearfall. Another Hidden Blade to the back of the head. Storm Breaker connects for the win.

Winner: Will Ospreay

Ospreay cuts a brief promo in the ring to tease his 2024 status. He thanks the fans for their role in allowing for IMPACT to be an alternative. He says he was inspired by TNA and people like AJ Styles. Regardless of what happens with him come February, TNA is coming back. 

Source: WrestleZone

Impact Announces PCO As First Signing Of “New Era Of TNA Wrestling”

Following the announcement that IMPACT Wrestling will become TNA Wrestling once again starting in January, the company announced PCO as the first signing of a new era.

Per the release on their website:

The first official signing of the new era of TNA Wrestling was announced this morning by company president Scott D’Amore.

PCO, who won the 4-person Monster’s Ball match this past Saturday at the 2023 Bound For Glory pay-per-view extravaganza in Chicago, has signed a new contract. Terms were not disclosed.

“I really wanted to be part of the new era of TNA Wrestling and Scott D’Amore made me an offer I could not refuse,” PCO said.

A report from Haus of Wrestling states that PCO’s new deal keeps him with the company through the end of 2024, a deal that was agreed upon due to the energy around the TNA re-brand and other requests being met.

The re-brand bringing back TNA Wrestling kicks off at their Hard to Kill PPV event, taking place Saturday, January 13 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Source: eWn

Scott D’Amore Reveals Why The Six-Sided Ring Will Not Return Under TNA Wrestling

Impact Wrestling will be switching back to TNA Wrestling on January 13, 2024, at TNA Hard To Kill, as announced by Scott D’Amore at Bound For Glory 2023.

Speaking on a recent media call, Impact President Scott D’Amore explained the rationale for maintaining the standard four-sided ring setup.

Many fans had expected to see the six-sided return with the major rebranding, but D’Amore has no intention of reviving the hexagonal ring configuration.

You can check out some highlights from the media call below:

On why TNA has no plans to utilize the six-sided ring: “The six-sided ring question comes up all the time, I get it, I was in the ring when the six-sided ring was brought in. I know it has its supporters. The fact is, at the end of the day, almost to a person, the athletes that have performed in the six-sided ring don’t prefer it. They say it’s harder on the body, it creates more injury, and more than injury, it creates more wear and tear on the body. Doing it night after night is harder on the body. We’re happy to have conversations about how to make the product look the best, but one of the things, unwaveringly, that we’re not willing to negotiate on or compromise is the athlete’s health and safety. We’re going to be a four-sided ring. I know that disappoints a lot of people, but my respectful and honest question to that is, ‘do you really love the six-sided ring more than you love ensuring the health and safety of the men and women who get in the ring and put their health on the line? Do you want to make a more dangerous situation for them?’ It’s wrestling, never say never, there could be changes in the future. It’s a simple one for us, athlete safety is number one, so we have four sides. Take that off the table and anything else is possible.”

On TNA’s development of new production designs: “I know the fans have been waiting for a new set, and some have been waiting very patiently and some have been waiting a little less patiently than others, and it all comes from a point of passion. We’re hard at work designing a new look and new feel for TNA to both honor our history but also to be forward thinking and forward moving.”

Source: eWn

Backstage News On CM Punk’s Reported Appearance At Impact Wrestling Event

CM Punk is a free agent in professional wrestling following his abrupt AEW exit in September, and while questions remain over where he will go next, recent reports indicate that Impact Wrestling, soon to once again be known as TNA, may have his attention. Nick Hausman’s “Haus of Wrestling” is reporting that Punk was backstage for the “IMPACT Wrestling on AXS TV” tapings in Chicago, though not for the Bound for Glory pay-per-view event. According to the report, Punk arrived just before the tapings began, around 6:30 pm CST, and was quickly taken to the locker room area. 

Punk reportedly spoke with anyone who wanted to get some time with him backstage, which was said to have included key talent within the promotion. His backstage presence follows a weekend of post-Bound For Glory buzz, which has only gotten stronger since Impact announced it was returning to its original TNA name. There were also reports that his Punk’s friend, Ace Steel, had also been seen working backstage for Impact as a producer. Hausman claims Steel was even considered to wrestle in the “Gauntlet for the Gold” match on the PPV, but Impact didn’t want its fans to assume Steel coming into the fold was a guarantee that Punk would follow, generating potentially unfounded excitement. 

CM Punk left AEW amidst controversy following an altercation backstage at All In, the massive event held at Wembley Stadium back in August. Recent reporting has indicated Punk wanted a return to WWE but his former promotion turned him down. If these reports prove accurate, the newly-rebranded TNA — a name that hasn’t appeared on one of Punk’s checks since 2003 — could end up being a bidder for his services.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Announces The Return Of TNA At Bound For Glory

A big announcement was made during Saturday night’s Impact Wrestling pay-per-view, Bound For Glory. Impact Wrestling will be going back to its original Total Nonstop Action (TNA) name. The rebranding will start on January 13, 2024, with the Hard to Kill pay-per-view.

Below is the announcement video that aired at the end of Bound For Glory. The video features several present and past names including, Eric Young, Frankie Kazarian, Josh Alexander, Gisele Shaw, Knockouts World Champion Trinity, Impact World Champion Alex Shelley, 10-time Impact X-Division Champion Chris Sabin, and the Impact World Tag Team Champions Ace Austin and Chris Bey.

In the promotion’s first two years, it was known as NWA: Total Nonstop Action. It was in 2004 that it dropped the NWA part and was simply known as TNA. The name would last until 2017 when the company officially rebranded as Impact Wrestling — though, that same year, it was also known as Global Force Wrestling (GFW) for a short span, before rebranding back to Impact Wrestling. That’s just the short history of the company. It’s also worth noting, that while fans have to wait until next year for the official rebranding, TNA t-shirts are already available for purchase.

Besides the TNA announcement, Bound For Glory also saw NJPW star and IWGP United States Champion Will Ospreay in action — he defeated Mike Bailey. There was a surprise appearance from former AEW star Sonny Kiss during the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match. The winner of that match was Jordynne Grace.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Announces King Of The Mountain Match For Their TNA Themed ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ Event At WrestleCon

Impact Wrestling announced Sunday on Twitter (view below) that a King of the Mountain Match will take place at their TNA themed There’s No Place Like Home event that will be part of WrestleCon during WrestleMania 36 weekend.

The event will take place at The Ritz in Ybor City, Florida on Friday, April 3, with tickets ranging from $60 to $150.

Impact has previously announced for the event an Ultimate X Match, and appearances from past TNA stars Scott Steiner, “Wildcat” Chris Harris, Disco Inferno, Petey Williams, Chris Sabin, The Amazing Red, and Aces & 8’s, which will be represented by D’Lo Brown and Ken Anderson.

Participants for the King of the Mountain Match have not yet been announced.

The event will stream live on FITE TV beginning at 7:00 pm ET.

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1226657029508329472

Source: WrestleView

Scott Steiner Announced For Special Impact Wrestling TNA Event At WrestleCon

Scott Steiner has been announced for Impact Wrestling’s upcoming TNA-themed special event during WrestleCon.

There’s no word yet on who Steiner will be wrestling that night, but we will keep you updated.

Impact will be bringing back the TNA name for one night only during WWE’s WrestleMania 36 Week as WrestleCon hosts the special Impact event on Friday, April 3 from The Ritz in Ybor City, Florida.

The current line-up of wrestlers for the special “TNA: There’s No Place Like Home” event includes Steiner, former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Chris Sabin, plus Aces and 8s, which will be represented by D’Lo Brown and Ken Anderson.

Tickets for the “TNA: There’s No Place Like Home” event are on sale now via WrestleCon.com. Tickets range from $60 – $150. The event will also stream live on FITE.TV.

Steiner originally worked for TNA from 2006-2010. He then returned for a brief run in 2011-2012, and has made other appearances in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Steiner is a two-time former TNA/Impact Tag Team Champion.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Stars Pay Tribute To Former TNA Star Amazing Red After His Retirement

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Sasha Banks took to Twitter to praise former TNA X Division Champion The Amazing Red, who runs the House of Glory wrestling promotion and school in New York City. Banks posted the tribute because Red has announced his retirement from the ring.

As seen below, Ali also took to Twitter to post a tribute to Red. Ali’s video features tributes to Red from Seth Rollins, Banks, Bayley, AJ Styles, Lince Dorado, Kevin Owens, Ricochet, Brian Kendrick, Rey Mysterio and WWE producer Sonjay Dutt.

Ali wrote, “@AmazingRed1 was such a huge influence on me. But I’m definitely not the only one who was influenced by him. He should know that.”

You can see the tribute video below, along with Red’s announcement video.

Red noted that he originally planned to “leave wrestling” after the WWE Cruiserweight Classic in 2016. In what could have led to his big break, Red was originally scheduled to work the tournament but an ankle injury kept him out of it. He said he felt like he has done everything he was supposed to do through HOG, and he’s cancelling all the shows he had planned for WrestleMania 35 Week in New York City. Red said he will continue to teach at HOG, and he will continue to support the business. “Throughout all my life, I have done things for everybody else, I’ve never done things for myself,” Red said.

He later added, “Be happy for me, don’t be upset. The reason why I made this video was for myself, because once I know I put this out there, there’s no turning back. This is me looking out for me. So, be happy about that.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.