TNA - TNA in talks with JBL

JBL Unhappy with WWE?


Credit: F4WOnline.com

Former WWE Champion John Bradshaw Layfield appeared on Live Audio Wrestling this past week and said the reason he's no longer with WWE is that they didn't offer him anything after he retired as an active wrestler at Wrestlemania. JBL indicated that he would have been interested in an announcing or General Manager role.

He talked about how it was probably a mistake for him to give up his announcing job and go back to wrestling because he likely never would have been replaced. He talked about how at age 40 and being unhappy about how his career ended, he wanted to believe his back had recovered enough to go. He knew if he didn't come back at that point the window of opportunity would close. Unfortunately, his back hadn't recovered and he was in pain pretty much the entire last run. He admitted being unhappy with how limited he was in the ring.

While this wasn't brought during his radio show appearance, it's been confirmed that he has been in talks with TNA about joining the company. At this point, nothing has materialized.
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WWE - WWE Teases Shaq Wrestling On Raw, Cena’s Wedding

See Photo's of Cena's Wedding.

-- The Jim Rose Circus tour that featured appearances by Jake Roberts and recently released WWE Superstar Sinn “Kizarny” Bowdee has been postponed. They hope to reschedule the tour for later this year.

-- As most of you know by now, John Cena got married on July 11th. He also appeared on the July 13th edition of WWE Raw and this past week’s Raw, according to reports, new wife Liz went on her honeymoon on her own while Cena was working Raw. There wasn’t any confirmation if he eventually went on to join Liz on their honeymoon. More photos from John Cena’s wedding have leaked online. Apparently Liz stripped Cena out of his tuxedo shirt and proceeded dancing with his new bride in a plain white t-shirt. You can view the photos at this link.
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WWE - Roddy Piper to face criminal charges for DUI

Uh Oh! Piper in the Pit?


It is being reported that the Los Angeles City Attorney has decided to go ahead with filing criminal charges against Roddy Piper for his DUI bust earlier this month.

Piper was charged with one misdemeanor count of DUI and one count of driving without a valid license back on July 2nd. Piper faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

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WWE - Entourage's Jeremy Piven to host RAW on 8/3

Really? Why Piven? WHY!?


WWE issued the following press release:

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WWE’s Monday Night Raw® on USA Network continues its weekly celebrity guest host series with NBA All-Star Shaquille O’Neal and Emmy Award-winning actor and Entourage star, Jeremy Piven.

Shaq will host Raw live from the Verizon Center in the nation’s capital on Monday, July 27th and Piven, August 3rd from Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

Each week celebrities from the world of sports, television, music and film take control of the most-watched regularly scheduled program on cable television by arranging matches, dictating stipulations and managing the entire RAW roster of WWE Superstars and Divas for the evening. Actor/writer/producer Seth Green and Rock N Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top were the first two guest hosts of Monday Night Raw, which airs live episodes each week at 9:00 PM ET on USA Network.

In addition to his role as Ari Gold in Entourage, Piven will be starring in the upcoming comedy film, The Goods: Live Hard. Sell Hard debuting in theaters August 14th.

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE - News) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.

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WWE - HBK Celebrates, Diva Gets Tooth Removed, Savage

What Does HBK Have to celebrate?


-- Today’s WWE.com Superstar of the Day is Ted Dibiase. Mickie James is today’s WWE.com Daily Diva.

-- WWE.com has a new gallery of WWE Diva Alicia Fox in a pink bikini.

-- Amazon.com has a deal going on for WWE’s “Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection” three-disk DVD where if you order it now you save $16.96 (49%), paying only $17.99. The deal is also eligible for free Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. You can check it out at this link.

-- WWE Diva Layla El recently had a tooth removed. “The tooth is finally out yaayyy now I cnt workout or rlly eat....what am I gonna do?? I look lk ive gonna 10 rounds w/ mike tyson painki.” She wrote on her Twitter. “Painkillers plzzz right now...I'm gonna prob sleep the whole day ...” Layla added.

-- Today is WWE legend Shawn Michaels’ birthday. He celebrates his 44th birthday. Michaels was born on July 22, 1965.

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WWE - Lita backstage at shows, status of Beth Phoenix

Lita Backstage?

Credit: F4WOnline.com

- Amy “Lita” Dumas was visiting friends at the WWE live events in the Carolinas this past weekend. For those wondering, she is not looking at getting back into wrestling.

- Beth Phoenix has not been seen on RAW much lately but sources say there is no heat on her and she is not suffering from any kind of injury. Her absence is just explained as creative not having a spot for her in the title picture right now and that they’re going more for the bikini look for the Divas on RAW right now.

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WWE - HBK's Summerslam return, Austin's tax issues, more

From JRsBarBQ.com

Jim Ross posted a blog at JRsBarBQ.com and here are the highlights:

Shawn Michaels celebrates birthday # 44 Wednesday and our very best wishes go out to HBK. There is rampant speculation that Shawn will return to WWE in time to compete at Summerslam but I have yet to hear that confirmed. HBK returning at Summerslam would be my guess but I just can't be sure at this time. Michaels is still, arguably, the best in ring performer in the business today.

Much has been made of the Steve Austin tax matter resulting from the sale of some property. Knowing Steve as well as I do, and we have not discussed this particular matter, I would assume that this is merely a clerical error and someone on the accounting or Realtor end dropped the ball. Austin is one of the most obsessed individuals I know regarding saving money and taking care of his business the right way.

Austin 'got it' when I used to preach to the wrestlers about saving their money, preparing for their future, getting professional financial planning and income tax help and not living beyond their means IE pay one's bills and don't buy too much bling. Trust me, Steve Austin won't have any issues taking care of this $22K matter that I suspect simply fell through the cracks.

Spoke with Jerry Brisco Tuesday afternoon while "in hurry up and wait mode" in Richmond. Jerry's doctors are extremely happy with the HOF'er's progress and expect him to make a full recovery from heart surgery after a few months rest. Having three months off sounds pretty intriguing to me but having to have heart surgery to facilitate such hopefully isn't in my cards. Jerry's speech and strength are making a big comeback!

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TNA - iMPACT! Taping Results - Night Three

Airdate: Thursday, August 6, 2009.


Special thanks to Ashley Colton and PWInsider.com for the following:

*Hernandez defeated Doug Williams

*Both the TNA World Title & TNA Legends Title are on the line: Kurt Angle & Kevin Nash vs. Mick Foley & Bobby Lashley. Lashley's music hits, he's nowhere to be found, same for when Foley's music hits. Then the second time Foley's music is played he comes out barely able to walk. He took on both Nash & Angle on his own. Angle had Foley locked into his leglock submission when the lights went out..and Sting's music hit...Sting appeared at the top of the bleachers in the crowd..pointing his bat at Angle in the ring. The lights went back out & when they turned back on, Lashley was in the ring with his head bandaged and attacked Angle & NASH..he gave Nash a running shoulder block & Foley got the pin on Nash to become the new TNA Legends Champion.
Winners: Foley & Lashley

*Xplosion Match: Rhino defeated The Outlaw Jethro Holiday by DQ.

*4way Knockouts Match: Angelina Love vs. Tara vs. ODB vs. Awesome Kong. Tara rolled up Kong for the win.

*The Main Event Mafia come out to kick off the Aug 13th edition of iMPACT! Kurt Angle addresses the situation about Mick Foley allegedly winning the TNA Legends Title last week. Angle says he struck a deal and the World Elite come out to the ring. Angle says its an honor to being business with them. Eric Young says this union will take over TNA side by side with Kurt Angle. He says they'll do whatever it takes. Young says its not just TNA but an entire nation, let the cleansing begin.

*Eric Young remains in the ring with Bashir & Kiyoshi for his match.

*Daniels w/ The MotorCity Machine Guns vs. Eric Young. The Guns hung around ringside reading magazines & videogame instruction booklets with their backs mostly to the ring, completely uninterested in the match. Young wins with a piledriver following interference from Bashir & Kiyoshi, the Guns were completely unaware.

*8 Man Tag Match: Big Rob & Doug Williams w/Brutus Magnus and Scott Steiner & Booker T w/Sharmell defeated Team 3D & Beer Money when Big Rob pinned Roode. This eventually wound up into an all out brawl that included all eight men, Kiyoshi, Eric Young, Bashir, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Daniels, Kevin Nash, Kurt Angle, Traci Brooks, Sting, Bobby Lashley, Mick Foley & the Bugsy McGraw security team. It was near riot conditions with the them brawling all over the place into the stands. The crowd was super hot for it all. Once the smoke cleared, it was Daniels & the Guns who stood tall, the Guns even held up the TNA Tag Titles...they leave ringside. All of a sudden Daniels & EY came battling back towards the ring along with the Guns, Kiyoshi & Bashir all brawling throughout the iMPACT Zone..on the monitors it could be seen that others were brawling backstage as well. The segment was well over 15 minutes long..it even had Chris Sabin throwing his shoes up the ramp at the World Elite. Daniels put the World Elite on notice that they were coming for them.

*Christy Hemme returned and defeated SoJo Bolt with the FFG.

*Contract Signing for the TNA Legends Title Match between Kevin Nash & Mick Foley, they both signed & gave their final thoughts on another & the match.

*3rd Match in the series to determine the 3rd participant for the Hard Justice Main Event: AJ Styles w/Sting vs. Matt Morgan w/Kurt Angle. Morgan wins following a real good solid match between the two. The Mafia comes down to celebrate while Sting helps AJ to the back. Angle takes the mic & congratulates Morgan on his win. Angle says Mafia recruited him, Morgan corrects him that he sold himself to them..Angle says one last favor and he's in the Mafia..Morgan is confused and doesn't understand how Angle is asking for him to help retaining the title. Morgan says no one demands anything from him and he's not passing up the opportunity to become the TNA World Champion. He says he's walking into Hard Justice as the Blueprint, but walking out the new World Heavyweight champion.

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TNA - Night two of TNA Impact spoilers

Airdate: Thursday, July 30, 2009.


Report by Ashley Colton and PWInsider.com:

Filming iMPACT's 200th Episode

Prior to the show, a group of new US Army Soldiers were sworn in, the entire locker room came out and stood on the ramp & applauded them, even started a "that was awesome" chant. BG James & AJ Styles came down towards the ring to shake the hands of each of the soldiers

*X-Division Title Match: Homicide defeated Amazing Red.

The Main Event Mafia come out and address the situation with Bobby Lashley. He then comes out and says he has a offer than Kurt can't refuse..Mick Foley comes out and first thanks Bobby Lashley for saving him last week. He then mentions the offer that Kurt can't refuse..he says its a tag team
match with him & Bobby Lashley vs. Angle and Kevin Nash..even though its a tag match, both their singles titles will be on the line. If Angle or Nash get pinned they lost their respective championship. Angle says its on and
the match is set.

*Samoa Joe & Taz remain in the ring for Joe's upcoming match.

*Hernandez defeated Samoa Joe w/Taz with a splash off the top rope. Hernandez has a new look, Mexican flag designed bike shorts, looked great. Crowd was hot for him the entire match and went nuts when he got the pin. Solid good match.

The World Elite of Eric Young, The British Invasion, Sheik Abdul Bashir & Kiyoshi come to the ring. Brutus Magnus introduces Eric Young as their leader. He says he's the center of attention and belittles the fans about how they would laugh at him, who's laughing now? He runs down America & the people who live here. He says he's making his own decisions, he's all about who he wants to be and begins to shave his head. He said this is where the entertainment ends and the violence begins. Team 3D comes out..Brother Ray on the mic says, this is America...love it or leave it. He says each of the World Elite can go back where they came from. He says when you hear tonight, Devon..get the tables...you'll know you're in the greatest country in the world. They charge the ring to start their
match.

Tables Match for the IWGP Tag Titles: British Invasion defeated Team 3D to become the new champions. Earl Hebner was knocked out during the match, Devon put Brutus Magnus through a table, but Eric Young hit Devon with the title belt, then pulled Magnus from the rubble and revived Hebner for him to see Devon through the table for the win.

ODB w/Cody Deaner, Tara & Awesome Kong w/Raisha Saied defeated The Beautiful People when ODB rolled up Love. During the match, the Motor City Machine Guns came into the stands with signs saying "Yes, we still work here." and "Conspiracy victims."

*Second Match of the best of three series to win a chance into the Hard Justice 3 way Main Event against Kurt Angle & Sting - Matt Morgan defeated AJ Styles to even it 1-1 in the series.

*Eric Young & Sheik Abdul Bashir defeated Jesse Neal & Rhino. Young has his hair shaved real tight & is wearing trunks, resembles a Ringmaster Steve Austin. Post-match, Rhino yells at Neal about losing & not tagging him in. Neal apologizes & Rhino slaps him & gives him a Gore.

*No DQ Match: Scott Steiner w/ Booker T & Sharmell defeated Brother Ray w/Brother Devon. Pre-match Steiner & Ray banter back & forth about the legacy of the Steiner Bros & Harlem Heat. Ray says that both teams were household names but so is garbage & like garbage they're getting old and they stink. It will also be Booker & Steiner vs. Team 3D at Hard Justice.

*Sarita & Taylor Wilde defeated Traci Brooks & Alyssa Flash when Sarita pinned Flash.

*Sting defeated Brutus Magnus. Post-match, Magnus & the World Elite beat down on Sting until Mick Foley & Bobby Lashley came down for the save. They were dominating until the Main Event Mafia came down and it was gangland beating until Hernandez came rushing to ringside swinging a giant chain. He chased off the Mafia. Afterwards, Mick, Lashley & Sting all pointed to Hernandez and celebrated in the ring.

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TNA - Impact spoilers for this Thursday

Airdate: Thursday, July 23, 2009.


Report by Ashley Colton and PWInsider.com:

TNA Impact spoilers:

*Motorcity Machineguns defeated Lethal Consequences when Shelley pinned Creed following a frog splash.
*Lethal is now being billed from Tampa, FL*

*Dr Stevie w/Daffney defeated Cody Deaner w/ODB via submission. Stevie used a Cobra Clutch to get the win.

Opening of iMPACT!

Taz comes out to the ring to kick off iMPACT! With a microphone in hand. He says years ago, he used to wrestle for a company called ECW and during that time he sustained career threatening injuries and prevented him from what he loved to do best and that's perform for the fans. He called 100's of matches for WWE and some of Wrestlemania's greatest matches as a color commentator. He said he knew there was more he could do and he saw TNA..he saw Samoa Joe...he said they had a lot of similarities but Joe showed remorse..where he was unable to do that. He had a talk with Joe..he told him its not about doing what makes people happy..its about what wins titles and makes money. He became the teacher, Joe became the student. He says he & Joe are indebted to Kurt Angle and the prestigious MEM.

Tonight, he says, Joe will add more gold..and that's the TNA X Division title..and he's got a message for Homicide..."beat Joe if you can, survive if he lets you." Samoa Joe's music hits and he comes out to the ring for his match.

*X Division Title Match - Homicide defeated Samoa Joe via DQ.
Joe hit the ref, locked in the Tazmission on Homicide and postmatch, continued to beat down on Homicide as ordered by Taz. Mexican music hit & a new video for Hernandez played as he ran down to the ring to aid his LAX partner. Joe stood in the corner with his arms crossed as Hernandez made his way into the ring. He's lost a noticeable amount of weight & looks great. Taz & Joe walked off as Hernandez checked on Homicide.

The Main Event Mafia come out to the ring. Kurt Angle addresses what went down at Victory Road. He wants to put everyone in the back at ease and no one is getting fired. He is a compassionate guy. He says TNA needs the MEM. And tonight for the fans, he has a present for them all. Nash, Booker & Steiner are all going to put their titles on the line for their entertainment. Jarrett is home, Sting is 1000's of miles away licking his wounds, so only there is Mick Foley to attend to.

Foley comes out to the ring he said that Kurt made him tap out after he said it would never happen. He was ready to go home until he heard Angle was messing with the front office and saying that there would be no TNA without MEM. He admits they all dropped the ball last night and maybe he ran out of gas last night...and that with Kurt as a 13 time Champ, knows what its like on 12 occasions how to have a bad day. Angle says Foley reminds him of an old dog and a dog needs a master...says he could be his master..gives him the name Old Tapper. He says if it wasn't for him & Joe outsmarting him, Foley would still be TNA Champion. Angle says he's the man and could kick Foley's ass right now, but won't do that cause he wants one last thing from him. He pulls out a set of keys, they are the keys to Mick Foley's office. He says they are gonna hang them up high on a pole for a match tonight.

*TNA Legends Title Match - Kevin Nash w/Jenna Morasca defeated Amazing Red.

10 Man Tag Match: Doug Williams, Brutus Magnus, Rob Terry, Kiyoshi & Sheik Abdul Bashir defeated Beer Money, Daniels, AJ Styles & Eric Young when Magnus pinned Styles. Styles went for the Styles Clash while everyone was brawling on the outside, Young tapped Styles on the shoulder & gave him a piledriver allowing Magnus to get the pin. He then posed with the Invasion in the ring.

*TNA Tag Title Match: Scott Steiner & Booker T w/Sharmell def Big Rocco & Sally Boy when Steiner pinned Rocco.

*TNA Knockouts Battle Royal - The Winner receives $50,000 & a spot in the Main Event Mafia Referee: Traci Brooks Participants: ODB, Alyssa Flash, SoJo Bolt, Daffney, Taylor Wilde, Sarita, Awesome Kong, Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, Angelina Love and Tara..it came down to Kong & Tara ..they were both close to eliminating one another, when Traci Brooks flipped them over the rope to win and began to celebrate. Nash introduced her as the winner and she jumped into his arms.

Best of 3 series: winner of series goes into the main event of Hard Justice. AJ Styles defeated Matt Morgan.

There have been graphics for TNA 200, so I'm guessing its iMPACT's 200th episode

Office Keys On A Pole Match: Mick Foley vs. Kurt Angle

At one point, Angle had the keychain & fell with it, leaving the hook up on the pole, Earl Hebner had to reattach the keys. Foley used the Mandible Claw and knocked Angle out, he went for the keys, but the MEM came down and attacked Foley. They held Foley while Angle belittled him on the microphone. Bobby Lashley's music hit and he came out via the heel tunnel and made his way to the ring. He came in and embraced Angle with a smile on his face. He looked to be aligned with the Mafia but then instead of attacking Foley, he turned around and punched Angle..he went after the Mafia and they made their way out of the ring and up the ramp. Lashley then helped up Foley and posed for the fans as the Mafia looked on with disgust.

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TNA - Did Sting forget the finish at Victory Road?

Did the Stinger forget something?


Credit: F4WOnline.com

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that the finishes of Sting vs. Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle vs. Mick Foley at Sunday's TNA Victory Road PPV in Orlando were not scheduled to end the same exact way. Sting was still scheduled to lose his match with Joe, but instead by pinfall after a Muscle Buster. According to reports, Sting allegedly forgot the finish of the match. During the match, Joe attempted to get Sting up on the top turnbuckle to setup the Muscle Buster finish, but Sting dead weighted him. After two attempts Joe called an audible and put Sting in the rear naked choke and called for Sting to tap out.
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TNA - Update on a potential TNA Knockout

New Knockout on the way?

Credit: F4WOnline.com

California-based indy wrestling manager Trina Michaels will be on hand for next month's slate of Impact tapings in Orlando, although she may be used as a plant in the audience. Mick Foley dropped her name once or twice in backstage segments last month.

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TNA - News on the announcers situation in TNA

What's Their Future?

Credit: F4WOnline.com
It is being said that Taz's arrival in TNA has "shaken up" both Mike Tenay and Don West as the general belief is that he will wind up as an announcer once his role managing Samoa Joe runs its course. One of the reasons given for West's new heelish persona was to get him over as a character and thus save his spot when Taz arrived. However, no one has been given any indication on what the future announcing crew would be.
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TNA Wrestling: Kurt, Karen & Jarrett?

Let's start the wrestling news here on Control Freeks, Jarrett was scheduled to be at Victory Road this past weekend but did not attend, due to this situatuon right here from the Bubba "The Love Sponge" Show! And Yes "It's True!, It's True!".




Credit: PWInsider.com:

It has now been confirmed that Jeff Jarrett and Karen Angle are in fact romantically involved, as was revealed on Bubba The Love Sponge by an anonymous caller. It has been rumored within the company among wrestlers for months, but it had never really been confirmed.

There are several sources saying that the relationship dates back to last fall, when Jarrett and Kurt Angle were feuding on TV. Kurt may have even been aware it was going on back then.

Contradictory to previous reports, sources now say that Jarrett’s time off was his decision, and wasn’t forced upon him by Dixie Carter. The decision was apparently made after recent issues arose between Kurt and Karen regarding the custody of their children. The word going around at the Impact tapings was that Jeff removed himself from TNA while the custody issues are ongoing. Until those issues became heated, Jarrett and Angle had been able to co-exist.

Regarding stories of Angle’s push for the TNA creative reigns, those within the company feel that it won’t happen and there is no major push for a new creative team right now.

There are a number of people in the company who would love to know who it was that called the Bubba The Love Sponge show and aired out the whole situation.
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