TNA News:

[mass 04]

I know you are all waiting for Mark Madden's opinion, so here it is.....


A Big House on the Big Side of Town by Mark Madden

I read the Grantland.com article on Ric Flair.

I don’t understand what all the outrage is about.

OK, so Flair outspends his income. How many Americans don’t? But he’s hardly “The Wrestler.” He’s not living in a trailer. He pays $3,683 per month rent. He’s not working independent shows for $50. He’s making over $250,000 per year working for Impact, and other significant income from endorsements. He’s been part of some questionable episodes. He’s also been swindled and stalked.

I don’t see how the Grantland.com article makes Flair a bad guy, or anything less than the greatest wrestler ever.

I bet his shoes still cost more than your house.

Wrestling is fraught with a host of malfeasance: Sexual harassment. PEDs. Recreational drugs. Frat-boy misbehavior that would shame “Animal House.” Cutthroat manipulation. Old-time stars that really are penniless. And a bunch of guys that dropped dead. It's always been the island of misfit toys.

Ric Flair is 62. He’s alive and, all things considered, in good health. He’s not in jail, or drug-addled. He still cuts promos with the best of them. He’s still an above-average in-ring performer. He still knows how to be RIC FLAIR.

So he’s had bad luck with women and money. That doesn’t exactly make him unique. Ric's got plenty of company there.

Ric’s had a great life. It’s still pretty good. He still gets to be RIC FLAIR.

Sometimes, perhaps, that’s part of the problem. But the pros far outweigh the cons.

Ric doesn’t need to be excoriated by wrestling fans. He needs wrestling fans to close ranks and support him. If that sounds like cheerleading, well – excuse me for being a fan, and a friend, of the greatest wrestler that’s ever lived.

Ric gave you countless hours of entertainment. Do you really care if he owes somebody money? You shouldn’t. Does getting drunk on an airplane dilute his legend one iota? It shouldn’t. Heck, he was just being RIC FLAIR.

I spoke with Ric Thursday night. The Grantland.com article never came up. Ric was excited about some things that he’ll for doing for Impact. The great ones look ahead in hope. Other people can look back in anger for them.

I can’t discount the general accuracy of the Grantland.com article. But it has an anti-Flair feel to it. His jump to WWF with the NWA belt – a belt he owned pending return of a deposit – was presented as a criminal act. It wasn’t Flair’s fault when he got stalked, or swindled.

I’m amazed at the IWC’s self-righteousness over the Grantland.com article. You’ll defend Matt and Jeff Hardy, a couple of big-time sleaze merchants who embarrass themselves and their profession. But if Ric Flair is past due on a few bills, you morph into the Moral Majority.

Doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, he’s still RIC FLAIR. If you don’t understand the magnitude of that, you’re not qualified to judge, anyway.

Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM, Pittsburgh, PA (105.9). Check out his web page at WXDX.com. Contact Mark by emailing wzmarkmadden@hotmail.com.

[Montague]

I know you are all waiting for Mark Madden's opinion, so here it is.....


A Big House on the Big Side of Town by Mark Madden

I read the Grantland.com article on Ric Flair.

I don’t understand what all the outrage is about.

OK, so Flair outspends his income. How many Americans don’t? But he’s hardly “The Wrestler.” He’s not living in a trailer. He pays $3,683 per month rent. He’s not working independent shows for $50. He’s making over $250,000 per year working for Impact, and other significant income from endorsements. He’s been part of some questionable episodes. He’s also been swindled and stalked.

I don’t see how the Grantland.com article makes Flair a bad guy, or anything less than the greatest wrestler ever.

I bet his shoes still cost more than your house.

Wrestling is fraught with a host of malfeasance: Sexual harassment. PEDs. Recreational drugs. Frat-boy misbehavior that would shame “Animal House.” Cutthroat manipulation. Old-time stars that really are penniless. And a bunch of guys that dropped dead. It's always been the island of misfit toys.

Ric Flair is 62. He’s alive and, all things considered, in good health. He’s not in jail, or drug-addled. He still cuts promos with the best of them. He’s still an above-average in-ring performer. He still knows how to be RIC FLAIR.

So he’s had bad luck with women and money. That doesn’t exactly make him unique. Ric's got plenty of company there.

Ric’s had a great life. It’s still pretty good. He still gets to be RIC FLAIR.

Sometimes, perhaps, that’s part of the problem. But the pros far outweigh the cons.

Ric doesn’t need to be excoriated by wrestling fans. He needs wrestling fans to close ranks and support him. If that sounds like cheerleading, well – excuse me for being a fan, and a friend, of the greatest wrestler that’s ever lived.

Ric gave you countless hours of entertainment. Do you really care if he owes somebody money? You shouldn’t. Does getting drunk on an airplane dilute his legend one iota? It shouldn’t. Heck, he was just being RIC FLAIR.

I spoke with Ric Thursday night. The Grantland.com article never came up. Ric was excited about some things that he’ll for doing for Impact. The great ones look ahead in hope. Other people can look back in anger for them.

I can’t discount the general accuracy of the Grantland.com article. But it has an anti-Flair feel to it. His jump to WWF with the NWA belt – a belt he owned pending return of a deposit – was presented as a criminal act. It wasn’t Flair’s fault when he got stalked, or swindled.

I’m amazed at the IWC’s self-righteousness over the Grantland.com article. You’ll defend Matt and Jeff Hardy, a couple of big-time sleaze merchants who embarrass themselves and their profession. But if Ric Flair is past due on a few bills, you morph into the Moral Majority.

Doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, he’s still RIC FLAIR. If you don’t understand the magnitude of that, you’re not qualified to judge, anyway.

Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM, Pittsburgh, PA (105.9). Check out his web page at WXDX.com. Contact Mark by emailing wzmarkmadden@hotmail.com.

Madden was a shitty color guy in WCW, but a lot of his online commentaries are spot-on.
This one is no exception.

[tu_holmes]

Madden was a shitty color guy in WCW, but a lot of his online commentaries are spot-on.
This one is no exception.

I agree... This is absolutely 100 percent correct.

[mass 04]

wrestlezone


During an appearance on the MMAWeekly Radio today, Kurt Angle discussed his role in the upcoming film "Warrior" and claimed he almost joined the UFC just a few months ago.

"I contacted (Dana White) again, I was thinking about dropping out of Impact Wrestling, and there were some personal problems with my marriage and I just wanted to get away and I contacted Dana White, I flew out, and he had me take the UFC physical. I passed it thank God, and he gave me the offer."

UFC President Dana White responded to the claim on Twitter stating, "Love Kurt, but not true."

[Montague]

wrestlezone


During an appearance on the MMAWeekly Radio today, Kurt Angle discussed his role in the upcoming film "Warrior" and claimed he almost joined the UFC just a few months ago.

"I contacted (Dana White) again, I was thinking about dropping out of Impact Wrestling, and there were some personal problems with my marriage and I just wanted to get away and I contacted Dana White, I flew out, and he had me take the UFC physical. I passed it thank God, and he gave me the offer."

UFC President Dana White responded to the claim on Twitter stating, "Love Kurt, but not true."

Hmm...
That means that at least half of the people mentioned above are full of shit.

[mass 04]

wrestlezone

After recently making his return to TNA TV, which will air next week, Jeff Hardy will also be returning to the road for TNA, taking part in house show events starting in September. Hardy is being advertised for shows in Rahway, NJ and Wilkes-Barre, PA. For more info you can go to Impactwrestlingtour.com.

[mass 04]

The Wrestling Observer reports that The Ric Flair vs. Sting match originally scheduled for Nor Surrender will not be on the PPV on 9/11, but has been moved to the TV taping in Orlando on 9/12, for airing on 9/15.

[mass 04]

Hmm...
That means that at least half of the people mentioned above are full of shit.

Who examined him? Dr. Nick?

[Montague]

Who examined him? Dr. Nick?

HI, EVERYBODY!!

[mass 04]

pwinsider


Jeff Hardy was sentenced today in a North Carolina courtroom to 10 days in jail, 30 months of probation and a $100,000 fine as part of a plea deal that will keep him out of prison. Hardy pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver a controlled substance and a single count of conspiracy to traffic in a substance containing opium, all felonies, pending from his September 11, 2009 arrest. The other counts against Hardy were dropped in return for the plea. Hardy has also agreed to remain in a drug abuse treatment program.

Hardy's lawyer requested that Jeff be allowed to travel outside of North Carolina to work for TNA. The request was granted.

[The Showstoppa]

pwinsider


Jeff Hardy was sentenced today in a North Carolina courtroom to 10 days in jail, 30 months of probation and a $100,000 fine as part of a plea deal that will keep him out of prison. Hardy pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver a controlled substance and a single count of conspiracy to traffic in a substance containing opium, all felonies, pending from his September 11, 2009 arrest. The other counts against Hardy were dropped in return for the plea. Hardy has also agreed to remain in a drug abuse treatment program.

Hardy's lawyer requested that Jeff be allowed to travel outside of North Carolina to work for TNA. The request was granted.

So this turd is going to spend 10 days in jail for a "felony?"  Our court systems are a joke.

[mass 04]

pwtorch


The Fayetteville Observer newspaper has reported more details on the resolution of Jeff Hardy's court case Thursday in North Carolina stemming from his September 2009 arrest.

-- Hardy would have been sentenced to 20-33 months in prison, but judge Joseph Turner suspended Hardy's prison sentence on the condition that Hardy attend an outpatient drug-counseling program and comply with the terms of his probation, which was set for 30 months.

-- Concerning Hardy's 10-day jail sentence established in the terms of Hardy's plea agreement, prosecutors sought an arrangement for Hardy to serve 30 days in jail, but the judge opted for ten days.

-- The wrestling fan who sent Hardy a supply of drugs in September 2009 was arrested in November 2010 on charges of conspiracy to traffic in opium and two counts of trafficking in opium. He is free on $50,000 bond. His next court date is in November 2011.

Hardy's defense attorney, James Van Camp, attempted to defend Hardy's drug addictions by claiming wrestling fans "want violence" and Hardy ravaged his body in order to provide entertainment, which fueled his addiction to cope with pain.

-- Van Camp claimed Hardy has tested negative for drugs since his arrest in September 2009. There was no indication of when subsequent testing took place or who administered the tests.

[mass 04]

No Surrender PPV results
pwtorch:


TNA World Hvt. champion Kurt Angle beat Sting and Mr. Anderson in the main event to retain the World Title. Angle was one of two champions to retain in four title matches on the PPV.

-- Robert Roode beat Bully Ray in a bonus "finals match" of the Bound for Glory Series. As a result, the first match is set for the Bound for Glory PPV in October is Angle vs. Roode for the TNA World Title.

-- Austin Aries beat X Division champion Brian Kendrick to capture the X Division Title. It's Aries's first X Division Title reign in TNA. Earlier in the show, Jesse Sorensen beat Kid Kash to become #1 contender to the X Division Title, setting up an Aries vs. Sorensen match on TV or PPV.

-- Winter beat Knockouts champion Mickie James to re-capture the Knockouts Title. It marks the third title change in the last month for the title.
-- TNA tag champions Mexican America beat "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero & Brother Devon to retain the TNA Tag Titles.

-- Hulk Hogan appeared in a backstage segment early in the PPV, then interfered on Angle's behalf in the main event. Eric Bischoff made one appearance setting up the BFG Series bonus final match. Jeff Hardy was not mentioned or shown during the PPV.

[mass 04]

wrestlezone

-- The Sting vs. Ric Flair match will be taped tonight to air this Thursday on IMPACT Wrestling.

[mass 04]

Jay Lethal was interviewed on Worldwrestlinginsanity.c om and he said this:


"Hogan came in and a couple of months from Hogan being there, he actually said he was talking with the Macho Man and working it with him to come in. Hogan actually sat me down and explained the whole thing he wanted to do too. He wanted to film vignettes of me going to Hogan, me getting Hogan pissed off, and Hogan yelling at me. Then the next time you see me, I'm at a bar and I'm talking to somebody and you can't really see him because they're in the shadows. But they have that Savage hat on.

"Eventually you hear Savage say that we're getting Hogan right where we want him. We're getting under his skin. We got him, got him, got him. So it was going to be one of those things where I'm trying to get under Hogan's skin because that's what Savage has me doing. Then Savage comes in and it was going to be a big attack on Hogan. That was the original plan from what I was told. I don't know if that was ever really going to happen, but that's what Hogan told me personally."

That would have been interesting. Although I don't know in what shape Savage would have been in.

[mass 04]

Rosita stated in an interview with Super Luchas that during her recent trip to Mexico, she trained at Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre's dojo and was instantly offered a contract with the promotion. However, she could not accept the offer due to TNA Wrestling's partnership with Asistencia Asesoría y Administracion, the rival promotion of CMLL.

The Mexican America member was in Mexico visiting her friend and storyline cousin Sarita, who appears for CMLL as Dark Angel. During her stay, she filmed a video message for AAA to push their ongoing "invasion" angle with TNA.

[mass 04]

pwtorch:

Hulk Hogan says he's having formal talks about about a new TV show. "I’m in negotiations now to do a TV series that’s not wrestling related at all, with myself working with kids and families," Hogan told Channel Guide Magazine. "It’s a reality, docu-soap type thing to help troubled families and troubled kids. Actually right before I talked to you, I was in a business meeting with the head of the network talking about the deal." The interview was more focused on Wednesday's debut of the Micro Championship Wrestling show that he lent his name to.

spoiler





















At Wednesday's Impact Wrestling TV taping for the September 29 episode, Hulk Hogan announced plans to retire from wrestling. He said he will have more details on the announcement at next Wednesday's TV tapings in Knoxville, Tenn. leading to the Bound for Glory PPV.

Hogan used the promo as an attempt to put over the younger wrestlers on the roster and point to the likes of Beer Money as the future of the company. Hogan's two year-contract is set to expire this fall after signing with TNA in fall 2009. Although unconfirmed, it remains to be seen if Hogan's announcement is the first step in separating from TNA.

[cheftim]

He's never gonna retire from Wrestling. Hulkamania is just bailing on a sinking ship. Looking forward to seeing him come back home to the Federation.

[Montague]

Hulkamania is just bailing on a sinking ship. Looking forward to seeing him come back home to the Federation.

So, he's bailing the Titanic to hop aboard the Lusitania?

[The Showstoppa]

pwtorch:

Hulk Hogan says he's having formal talks about about a new TV show. "I’m in negotiations now to do a TV series that’s not wrestling related at all, with myself working with kids and families," Hogan told Channel Guide Magazine. "It’s a reality, docu-soap type thing to help troubled families and troubled kids. Actually right before I talked to you, I was in a business meeting with the head of the network talking about the deal." The interview was more focused on Wednesday's debut of the Micro Championship Wrestling show that he lent his name to.

haha, oh brother.....Hogan giving family advice?  Yeah, cause he did such a bang-up job with his idiot brood of turds.

[mass 04]

From Honky Tonk Man's twitter via gerweck.net

Hogan is done with TNA. HTM said this almost 6 months to the date. March 2011! WWE Legend The Honky Tonk Man said on his Facebook yesterday that a top behind-the-scenes player in TNA, someone close to Hulk Hogan, has left and is returning to WWE. Honky’s team then wrote the following blog on his official website against Hulk Hogan:"You guys keep asking what’s the issue with Hogan. Here’s the deal. Hogan is in a back brace and without it he is on a walker as an old crippled dogshit of a man who could only be found with his feet in Lard Ass Bubba’s ass. You ask why HTM doesn’t like Hogan?Jeff Jarrett approached HTM for a TNA merchandise deal in 2010 and "sent" a contract. Contract never came. HTM signs with WWE & Mattel. The same time, Hogan and Bischoff join TNA and Bischoff publicly insults HTM. HTM is called up for the "Hogan & Friends Tour", went to the show and had a great event with the boys and the fans. HTM and Jimmy Hart spend hours setting up the show, spots etc. HTM and his web team promote "Hulk and Friends" everywhere which Hogan’s agent praised and admitted none of the other stars did! Bubba the lard sponge calls out HTM on his radio show so HTM posted a video owning Bubba in retaliation. Hogan goes off without seeing the facts and HTM is off the tour.HTM went to Hogan’s room on the Hogan & Friends tour and spent hours talking to Hogan. Hogan was nice to HTM’s face. That’s the deal with Hogan. That’s always the deal with Hulk Hogan. Ask Vince McMahon or Randy Savage.Hogan is a walking dead because he went with that travelling door to door meat salesman Bischoff instead of hanging with the guys who stood beside him and once again turned on WWE. McMahon’s done with Hogan and WWE have no interest in his dead ass. They put over Hogan, built him up as Babe Ruth and he spat in their face. Hogan was due to wrestle John Cena at a recent past WrestleMania but couldn’t commit due to his health issues then announces at Vince’s backyard MSG that he’s signed with TNA. Now after taking TNA nowhere Hogan’s had to take a pay cut with TNA and mark my words within 6 months he’ll be gone.What is WWE going to do with a free agent crippled Hulk Hogan? Nothing. They own the entire back catalogue, anything of worth they have. Hogan has his chance to be the Babe Ruth of WWE and spat in their face. He demands top money from Vince and has nothing in return to offer.Hogan’s "Hulk & Friends" Tour is dead in the water. Events were cancelled due to poor ticket sales and performance and Hogan’s $100k fee demand while paying his fellow boys $3k.THQ recently signed Hogan to WWE Allstars as his contract allows for outside licensing which is a slap in the face to TNA. Would McMahon let any WWE star sign a TNA merchandise deal? How is that taking "the company to the next level" Brother!.The guys in the back have no respect for Hogan and Nash is laughing his ass off now that Hogan is broke and Nash is back as a player.A major TNA backstage player has bolted TNA for WWE, someone close to Hogan which has left Hogan reeling. More on that to come..Hulkamania killed itself.HTM"

[The Showstoppa]

i don't think HTM cares for the Huckster...... 

[mass 04]

haha, oh brother.....Hogan giving family advice?  Yeah, cause he did such a bang-up job with his idiot brood of turds.

lol that's what I was thinking

[tu_holmes]

i don't think HTM cares for the Huckster...... 

I dunno... It sounds like they are best buds to me.

[The Showstoppa]

I dunno... It sounds like they are best buds to me.

"an old crippled dogshit of a man" was my favorite....