TNA has announced that they have re-signed Kurt Angle, Abyss, Ethan Carter III (EC3) & Jessie Godderz. TNA Executive Vice President John Gaburick said more signings will be announced soon.
Rob Terry (The Freak) has been moved from the TNA roster page to the Alumni section, so it appears that he is done with the company. Also the Menagerie profile has no mention of him in their faction.
TNA has also removed Quinton “Rampage” Jackson to the Alumni section from the roster page.
TNA announced a Greatest Matches show for Destination America lineup. TNA issued the following:
DESTINATION AMERICA EXPANDS WEEKEND WRESTLING LINUP WITH ADDITION OF TNA WRESTLING’S GREATEST MATCHES
(Silver Springs, Md.) – Destination America today announced it is adding TNA WRESTLING’S GREATEST MATCHES to its weekend linup of wrestling programming. An hour-long show, GREATEST MATCHES presents the most remarkable and unforgettable contest of iconic TNA superstars such as Kurt Angle, Sting, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles. TNA GREATEST MATCHES debuts with a three episode mini-marathon on Saturday, January 10 beginning at 10 AM ET followed by two new additional premieres on Friday, January 16 at 9AM. TNA GREATEST MATCHES will continue to premiere in its regular time slot starting January 17 on Saturdays at 12PM.
You can see the rest of the announcement at ImpactWrestling.com
TNA issued the following announcement on their new TV series:
IMPACT WRESTLING BECOMES “UNLOCKED” WITH BRAND NEW TELEVISION SERIES
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 16, 2014) – TNA Entertainment will deliver a new concept in professional wrestling with the premiere of IMPACT WRESTLING: UNLOCKED, Saturday, January 17 at 10/9c on Destination America. this new weekly series hosted by “The Professor” Mike Tenay will dive deeper into the most recent episode of IMPACT WRESTLING with exclusive content and never-before-seen footage.
During IMPACT WRESTLING: UNLOCKED viewers will get an enhanced experience as the screen comes alive with match facts and stats, as well as bonus commentary and exclusive footage taking fans deeper into the intriguing characters, captivating stories and fascinating personal lives of the TNA Superstars.
“Fans are constantly asking me what goes on behind the scenes,” said Tenay. ” The appetite is strong for interesting factoids and an insider’s perspective. We will explore everything from why World Champion Bobby Roode uses his Roode Bomb finisher to how Taryn Terrell uses her stuntwomen background when defending her Knockouts title. IMPACT WRESTLING: UNLOCKED will offer a distinctive and stimulating viewing experience unmatched in professional sports.”
In addition, each week during IMPACT WRESTLING: UNLOCKED, Tenay will reveal the IMPACT WRESTLING Top 5, a power ranking of the top five heavyweights in TNA. This new ranking system is sure to spark controversy, debate, and most importantly, competition.
IMPACT WRESTLING debuts on Destination America with a special LIVE broadcast on Wednesday, January 7 from 9-11 PM ET, televised from New York City’s legendary Manhattan Center. IMPACT WRESTLING will move to it’s permanent time slot on Fridays from 9-11 PM ET beginning January 16 on Destination America.
The last 2 episodes of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV will be airing at later than normal times. The Greatest Impact Wrestling Moments shows air times are:
December 17 – 11pm ET.
December 24 – midnight ET.
Jeremy Borash sat down with TNA President Dixie Carter for an Exclusive interview. Dixie discussed TNA’s past with Spike TV, future with Destination America and everything in-between.
You can listen to the interview at ImpactWrestling.com at this link.
In a interview for the Royal Ramblings blog at Huffington Post, TNA President Dixie Carter, who discussed TNA’s move to Destination America, responded to Vince McMahaon saying that TNA wasn’t major competition for WWE:
“Well I think it’s ridiculous to say that we’re not competition. If we weren’t competition they wouldn’t try to stop our growth at every turn. We’re both wrestling companies and so competing for the same networks internationally and the same ticket sales globally and therefore you are competitors but all we can do is focus on what we do best. My big focus for 2015 is to further distinguish our product from anybody else’s out there. What can we do better and what have we been doing great that we can take to another level. We’re going to be announcing in the coming weeks some really exciting changes to our show and that’s a big part – trying to make our brand more distinctive than not just WWE but other wrestling companies around the world.”
It is being reported by Wrestling Observer Newsletter that when TNA premieres on Destination America in January with a reboot with a new look and more, that former WWE announcer Josh Mathews will be replacing Mike Tenay as the lead announcer along side Taz. Tenay is expected to keep a on-air role.
The last 4 episodes of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV will air starting December 3rd. The episodes will be highlighting the best of Impact 2014 and the greatest moments in TNA history, including matches and footage seen fro the first time on Spike.
December 3 & 10: Best Of Impact Wrestling 2014
December 17 & 24: Countdown to the All-Time Best TNA Moment
TNA Impact Wrestling will be moving to it’s new home at Destination America in January 2015.
TNA will air a special edition of Impact Wrestling tonight exclusively on Youtube at 9/8 C titled Thanksgiving Throwdown. Jeremy Borash will host and take you through the most memorable Turkey bowl matches and Thanksgiving moments.
Borash will reveal a special code that will allow viewers to start Black Friday early. All orders placed at ShopTNA starting Wednesday will receive special free prizes in their packages. One grand prize winner will receive a replica TNA World Heavyweight Championship belt ($500 value).
TNA officials are said to be extremely happy with the new Destination America TV deal. The feeling within TNA is now that the TV deal is done, they can begin working on new talent deals, creative plans for next year and more internal changes, which John Gaburick has been working on.
One of the selling points of Destination America for TNA was that TNA will be an important cornerstone for the network. The deal opens up the possibility for more TNA programming. During negotiations Dixie Carter made it clear that she didn’t want just another 2 hours of Impact Wrestling.
TNA has a hold on the Manhattan Center in New York City for the week of January 6th but they may decide to tape in December and let those holds go. If they tape in December it may be in Michigan. TNA is working out details right now before making a decision whether to tape in December or January.
TNA plans are for a complete reboot of the look and feel of Impact Wrestling from the bottom up when it debuts in January. An official launch date is still being locked in but it could air on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Source: PWInsider.com & WrestlingINC.com
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