THE BANKS SHOT: TNA WRESTLING NEWS AND NOTES
Category: Sports
By Bill Banks
It's certainly been a while since I've written one of my columns. Putting together the "History Of TNA: Year 1" DVD as well as the redesign of the new website has taken up the majority of my time in recent months. But all the work has paid off, as I think the DVD will be our best release ever and the new website looks tremendous (despite some technical issues early on). Lee South (our website manager), Dan Burgess (website producer) as well as myself hope you like the new website rollout!
So, let's get onto some TNA news and notes…
- This Monday and Tuesday night at Universal Orlando in Florida, TNA will hold the "iMPACT!" on SpikeTV tapings. Expect plenty of news regarding the upcoming "Genesis" Pay-Per-View. As always, several lucky fans in attendance on both nights will win the opportunity to go backstage to meet their favorite TNA superstars.
- After this past week, the biggest story in TNA is the mystery surrounding Sting's partner at the Genesis Pay-Per-View event. Based on what we know so far, it's going to be someone big. There's certainly no shortage of speculation from our online fans. Expect more news on Sting's partner this Thursday on "iMPACT!" on SpikeTV. Also this Thursday will be the semi-finals of the "Fight For The Right" tournament for a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
- Regarding our recent Bound For Glory epic event, I definitely thought it was our best Pay-Per-View in TNA history. Props go out to everyone on the TNA roster that – once again – gave it 110% in the ring. Props also go out to the Atlanta crowd that was electric all night and fed the energy of the TNA stars competing in the ring. When the crowd is that jacked it always makes the competitors take it to the next level, resulting in a better Pay-Per-View. So, thanks to the ATL for all their support!
- It's tough to pick my favorite match from Bound For Glory, as I think every one of them delivered in their own way. However, I will say I did think the Ultimate X bout between LAX and XXX was – in my opinion – the best Ultimate X ever. After the bout, Mike Tenay stated, "Ladies and gentlemen, that is 'Exhibit A' of how you kick off a Bound For Glory Pay-Per-View!". I don't think anyone could have said it any better.
- I also thought "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal vs. "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels, Team 3D vs. The Steiner Brothers, Team Pacman vs. AJ Styles & Tomko, Samoa Joe vs. Christian Cage, The Monster's Ball and Kurt Angle vs. Sting all hit home runs as well. Plus, how can you beat history being made with the crowning of the first Knockouts Women's Champion? So many tremendous matches in one night on one Pay-Per-View.
- If you didn't have the opportunity to see Bound For Glory or catch the replay on Pay-Per-View – and you classify yourself as a wrestling fan – I sincerely feel sorry for you at this point. That's not me shilling for the company…that's total honesty.
- On a side note, it was certainly interesting to return to Atlanta six years after leaving it in 2001 after the sale of WCW. I even got to drive past my old apartment complex. The trip certainly brought back a lot of memories for me as well as those of us that worked for WCW.
- TNA Wrestling plans to sign Consequences Creed to a contract. Creed competed alongside Ron "The Truth" Killings at "Bound For Glory" against AJ Styles and Tomko. In his first TNA match - at TNA's biggest Pay-Per-View event ever – Creed certainly stepped up to the plate and impressed. Talk about pressure! Congratulations to Creed and welcome to TNA. Personally, I'm hoping The Truth and Consequences Creed continue their tag team, as I think they can make a very entertaining and dominant combination.
- The day before Bound For Glory, TNA held our "InterAction" fanfest in Atlanta. It was one our best InterAction turnouts ever – with plenty of fans traveling thousands of miles from places such as England, Scotland, Japan, Germany, Italy, Australia and Puerto Rico to take part in the huge weekend. A major highlight of the fanfest was the debut of the upcoming TNA/Midway video game. Based on the footage, Midway has certainly held true to their promise of making the TNA release the best wrestling game of all-time. Personally, I can't wait for the unveiling of the Ultimate X in gameplay.
- There are several new TNA merchandise items available for purchase at ShopTNA.com. There's the first Motor City Machineguns t-shirt (one of our most popular items this past week), a new Rhino shirt, the new "To Live And Die In LAX" shirt, the new "University Of Angle" shirt, a new XXX t-shirt, a Christian Cage DVD/shirt combo, plus the debut of… TNA baby bibs!!!
- The new (and much anticipated) Karen Angle photos are now available for viewing in the Knockouts Gallery in the Multimedia area. More photos of Karen will be added in the coming weeks. Don't stare too long – you may go blind.
- In addition to shooting Karen Angle's "Knockouts" online debut, TNA photographer Lee South was also busy this past week getting sexy shots of Ms. Brooks. All-new photos of the lovely Ms. Brooks will be added to the Knockouts gallery in the coming weeks as well.
- Speaking of the Karen Angle photos, if you listen to the popular "Bubba The Love Sponge" show on Sirius satellite radio, you know Bubba always goes absolutely ga-ga for Karen. Bubba is also a huge fan of the Burger King "Stacker" sandwich. So, Karen did some poses just for Bubba with a BK Stacker with we emailed to him. Bubba mentioned the photos several times on-air and even posted them on his website. You can check out the photos at btls.com (for mature audiences only).
- On the DVD front, we just completed the "Bound For Glory" 2007 DVD, which goes on sale in mid-December. The DVD will feature the Pay-Per-View in its entirety, footage from the TNA Fanfest, a sneak peek at the upcoming TNA/Midway video game, exclusive ringside photos, hidden easter egg footage from the event set to a track from Filthee (aka Brickman Raw) and much more.
- Also in DVD news, "The Instant Classic": Best Of Christian Cage DVD went on sale this past week. From early reviews I've read online, it certainly looks like one of our best releases this year.
- Up next is the anticipated "History Of TNA: Year 1" DVD, which goes on sale at major retailers on November 20. I've read some comments from fans online saying they doubt we will discuss any controversial subjects from the first year on the DVD and that it will just be a "fluff" piece. Well, I'm here to say that we do cover the tough topics and it's anything but "fluff". I think a lot of people will be shocked just how in-depth we do go. The DVD includes full matches from the first year, a two-hour documentary, plus some really cool bonus footage including video of Chris Harris and James Storm's tryout match, the first-ever TNA commercial that aired locally in Nashville, a tribute to Curt Hennig and much more.
- On a side note, the 2007 Hard Justice DVD went to 3 on the Billboard Sports Charts last week. Nearly every TNA DVD release in 2007 has gone Top 10 on Billboard. That's quite an accomplishment!
- The new "Meltdown" CD featuring the entrance music for your favorite TNA superstars also goes on sale on November 20.
- TNAwrestling.com now has a RSS feed for fans to get our latest website news. You can get the code by clicking on the icon at the bottom right of the main page.
- Don't forget to "Back The Bosch" and support Tennessee Titan's Kyle Vanden Bosch by voting for him to go to the 2008 Pro Bowl at NFL.com. Vanden Bosch is a friend of TNA and appeared at Slammiversary alongside Frank Wycheck. Vanden Bosch is an athletic monster who could certainly have a bright career in wrestling if he chose.
- In live event news, TNA is gearing up for our visit to Israel for two live events on November 15 and 17. After our TV Tapings this Monday, TNA Women's Champion Gail Kim is scheduled to head over early to do some promotional work for the event.
- TNAwrestling.com will be holding our annual "Year End Awards" in the coming weeks, which honors the "best of the best" in TNA from 2007. We've held the awards ever year on the website since 2003. This year's categories will include:
Finisher Of The Year Knockout Of The Year Tag Team Of The Year Most Inspirational Superstar Of the Year X Division Superstar Of The Year Memorable Moment Of The Year Who To Watch In 2008 Feud Of The Year Match Of The Year Plus the Mr. TNA "MVP" of 2007 Award
That's it for this column! Have a good week and enjoy Thursday's "iMPACT!" on SpikeTV.
BURNING ISSUES: IS AWESOME KONG POISED FOR DOMINATION?
Category: Sports
By Gerry Strauss
Since TNA's beginnings, we have showcased the most talented, athletic… and yes, hottest women on TV today. From Ms. Brooks to Jackie Moore to Christy Hemme, our "Knockouts" live up to their billing in more ways than one. No matter the match-up, no matter the situation, TNA fans (and the Knockouts themselves) were always guaranteed a fast-paced, athletic encounter between some of the sexiest women in wrestling. With the inception of a "Knockouts" Champion and a planned influx of a new generation of ladies, the wrestling world anticipated things to get even hotter.
Then came Awesome Kong.
More than six feet tall. Over 270 pounds. Kong isn't just physical…she's physically dominant, and the announcement of her impending arrival in TNA sent shockwaves throughout the company, the fans, and the rest of the now-wary Knockouts. Even scarier, she would be part of the 10-woman gauntlet match for the Women's Championship at TNA's biggest event ever, "Bound For Glory."
Before we got to the pay-per-view event of the year, however, Kong was slated to make her debut on the October 11th edition of "iMPACT." Her opponent: Gail Kim, the popular dynamo whom many had previously favored to emerge as the first "Knockouts" Champion. Unfortunately for Kim, when the bell sounded, the reputation of Awesome Kong became all too real. Pure, brute strength and unstoppable size allowed the newcomer to physically dissect Gail, whose spurts of quickness would only allow her to take the advantage for brief moments in time. In the end, a monstrous sitout powerbomb spelled the end for Kim, and the message was clear: Kong had arrived.
The highly anticipated "Bound For Glory" was finally upon us, and ten women walked into the historic Championship gauntlet match seeking their date with destiny. However, how could any woman hope to eliminate Awesome Kong? Was she poised to plow through the competition en route to realizing her quest to become "Knockouts" Champ?
As it turns out, one woman could not eliminate Kong. Heck, two women couldn't get the job done either. In the end, it took three ladies, led by Gail Kim, to lift the Awesome one over the top rope to the floor, ending her participation in the match, but not erasing the impression that she made. With the mastodon taken out of the equation, a fired-up Kim outlasted the masses, finally pinning Roxxi Laveaux to realize her dream and capture the gold.
So that's the story, right? Hardworking, popular girl makes good, wins the gold, and rides off into the sunset, defending her championship against all comers during what is sure to be a long and illustrious title reign.
Not so fast.
You see, although unsuccessful at "Bound For Glory", Awesome Kong isn't going anywhere. On the contrary, sources claim that her defeat in that match has only made her more intense, more aggressive, and more dangerous. Ask Talia Madison, the unfortunate "Knockout" assigned to face Kong on "iMPACT" just days after "Bound For Glory", only to be beaten to a pulp in the most one-sided women's match in TNA history. Watching that match certainly must have brought back some ugly memories for Gail Kim, whose own encounter with Kong is certainly still fresh in her mind.
So as Kong continues to plow her way through the competition, the question is inevitable: is she targeting Gail Kim and the "Knockouts" Championship, and if so, will we simply see a repeat of the first time these two collided? With the gold around her waist, Kim may be more confident than ever, but does even she (or anyone, for that matter) actually stand a chance against the most imposing female in wrestling? If not, Awesome Kong may be on her way to the top of the "Knockouts" mountain, and this time, there won't be any way to stop her.
TNA WRESTLING PRESENTS “GENESIS” LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11th
Category: Sports
Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling returns to Pay-Per-View on Sunday, November 11 with "Genesis" live from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida!
Tune into "iMPACT!" in the coming weeks every Thursday night at 9pm for news and information on the Pay-Per-View event.
Tickets are free for both guests of Universal and Islands of Adventure theme parks, as well as the public. Our tapings are located at SoundStage 21 next to the Hard Rock. Doors normally open at 6pm ET. Handicap accessible seating is available. For more information on seating and parking, call the Universal Orlando Resort "iMPACT!" hotline at (407) - 224 - 6000.
Appearing will be:
TNA World Heavyweight Champion Sting TNA World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Tomko TNA X Division Champion "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal TNA Women's Champion Gail Kim Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle "The Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe "The Instant Classic" Christian Cage "The Monster" Abyss And many more of your favorite TNA superstars!
FULL RESULTS FROM THE BOUND FOR GLORY PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT
Category: Sports
By Bill Banks
Catch the replay of the "Bound For Glory" Pay-Per-View event! Don't miss your chance to relive the epic event in its entirety: InDemand: Select replay times from October 16 - 28 Dish Network: All day replays on October 16 and 17 DirecTV: All day replays on October 15, 17, 23, 27 & 29 TVN: Check your programming guide! Viewer's Choice Canada: Check your programming guide!
QUICK RESULTS:
- The Latin American Xchange defeated XXX in the Ultimate X match to earn a shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship - Eric Young won the first round of the Fight For The Right tournament - AJ Styles and Tomko defeated Team Pacman to become the new TNA World Tag Team Champions - "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal defeated "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels to retain the X Division Championship - The Steiner Brothers defeated Team 3D in a tables match - Gail Kim became the first TNA Women's Champion by winning the Gauntlet Battle Royal - Samoa Joe handed Christian Cage his first submission defeat in TNA Wrestling - Abyss won the Monster's Ball Match, pinning Raven - Sting defeated Kurt Angle to become the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion
The official results from TNA's biggest Pay-Per-View event of 2007 - Bound For Glory love from Atlanta, Georgia!
Up first on the Pay-Per-View is the Ultimate X Match with The Latin American Xchange vs. XXX with a shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship on the line! LAX started on the offensive and Homicide went up for the red X, but he was stopped by Elix Skipper. Hernandez relied on his power moves to batter XXX while Homicide stopped them with his high-flying. Hernandez even went up to climb the ropes, but Skipper knocked him off with a dropkick. Then, Elix climbed all the way to the top of the steel girder and hit a mega splash on Hernandez! Homicide climbed back up, but he was met by Senshi! Homicide tried to hit his Gringo Killer from the steel girder, but Senshi nailed him with a double stomp instead. Hernandez then sent Elix flying out of the ring onto Senshi with his Border Toss! Hernandez then climbed back up, scaled the ropes and pulled down the red X for the win! The LAX have earned a shot at the TNA World tag Team Championship!
Kurt and Karen Angle were show arriving separately earlier in the day, along with the arrival of Kevin Nash. Crystal then interview Christian Cage, Tomko and AJ Styles in the back about their respective matches tonight.
Up next is the Fight For The Right reverse battle royal with 15 TNA superstars for a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship! Once several superstars made it in the ring, it took all of them to eliminate Junior Fatu. Chris Sabin was eliminated next, followed by Kaz by Robert Roode. It came down to Roode, Eric Young, Lance Hoyt and Alex Shelley. Roode eliminated Hoyt by pushing him off the top rope - then eliminated Alex Shelley. In the final, it was longtime rivals with Robert Roode vs. Eric Young. Young went for a top rope moonsault, but Roode moved. However, Young then rolled up Roode in a small package for the win!
Up next is the TNA World Tag Team Championship Match with Team Pacman vs. AJ Styles and Tomko! Prior to the bout, Crystal interviewed Team Pacman in the backstage area. According to the champs, Pacman Jones would be unable to compete, but they brought a backup in the form of "Rasheed Lucius Creed". After the interview, cameras found Kurt and Karen Angle arguing in the back.
AJ and Tomko were out first, with the hometown crowd going crazy for The Phenomenal One. Out next were Team Pacman, followed by Creed. The Truth got some offense in against Tomko, but both AJ and Tomko leveled Creed when he got in. With Team Pacman on the outside, AJ hit an amazing flip dive off the top rope onto Truth and Creed! Pacman Jones tried to make it rain with his money while Truth had AJ covered, but referee Earl Hebnger stuffed all the cash in his pockets instead of counting the three! Moments later, Tomko and AJ hit a double reverse DDT on the Truth for the win to become the new TNA World Tag Team Champions!
Now it's time for the X Division Championship match with "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal defending against "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels! Machismo started on the offensive, hitting a top rope axehandle on Daniels and throwing him out of the ring. However, Daniels took over by slamming Lethal into the steel guardrail. Back inside, Daniels nailed Lethal with a high backdrop and then locked him into the STF. Later, Daniels tried for the Angel's Wings, but Lethal reversed it into a roll up for a two-count. Lethal tried to jump off the top rope, but he hit a death valley driver followed by the best moonsault ever - but only got a two count. Daniels and Lethal traded punches on the top rope, with Machismo eventually getting the best of Daniels. Lethal came off the top with Daniels and hit a backbreaker followed by a faceplant to get the three count and the win to retain the X Division Championship!
In the back, Crystal interviewed the Steiner Brothers about their upcoming tables match with Team 3D! The battle between the two legendary tag teams is up next! The Steiners were out first, then attacked Team 3D as soon as they came out! Both teams brawled on the outside, going all over the arena and through the fans. Back in the ring, the first table was set up and Ray and Devon nailed Rick Steiner with the 3D to go up 1-0 in the best of 3. Minutes later, Scott Steiner hit his famous Frankensteiner on Brother Ray through a table to even it. Team 3D took back over and laid out Scott Steiner on a table and attempted to reinjure his neck, but the Motor City Machineguns came out to distract them! This gave the Steiners the opening they needed as they hit Brother Devon with a top rope bulldog through the table to get the win!
Up next is the Knockouts Gauntlet Battle Royal to determine the first TNA Women's Champion! A new Knockout enters every 60 seconds, with over the top rope elimination until it comes down to the final two who will battle it out for the championship. The bout started out with Ms. Brooks and Jackie Moore. Out next was Shelley Martinez followed by the Awesome Kong! Kong began to annihilate Brooks, Martinez and Moore. Out next was ODB. Kong eliminated Ms. Brooks, Martinez and Moore then turned her attention to ODB. Out next was Angel Williams, who hit the ring just as Kong was battering ODB. Out next was Christy Hemme, who was immediately attacked by Kong and placed in a torture rack. Gail Kim was out next, who nailed Kong with a dropkick from the top rope. It took Gail, ODB and Angel williams to eliminate Kong while Talia Madison made her way to the ring. Angel Williams was eliminated next. Out next was Roxxi Laveaux. In the end, it came down to Gail Kim and Roxxi, with Gail winning the bout to become the first-ever TNA Women's Champion!
In the back, Kevin Nash spoke to Kurt Angle about the upcoming TNA World Heavyweight Championship match.
Up next, it's Samoa Joe vs. Christian Cage with special enforcer Matt Morgan! Out first was Morgan, followed by Cage and Samoa Joe - who got introduced by his Samoan fire dancers. Morgan took his place on the outside, while Joe took it to Cage and sent him to the outside. Joe then smashed Cage in the face against the guardrail on the outside. However, Cage managed to fight back and hit a DDT on Joe on the outside and rolled him back in the ring. Cage went for several near-falls on Joe, but couldn't put the Samoan Submission Machine away. Later, Joe once again sent Cage to the outside, where The Instant Classic hade a face-off with Morgan, allowing Joe to hit a spinning leap out of the ring onto Cage. Back in the ring, Cage went for the Unprettier but Joe blocked it and hit Cage with a running boot. Later, Tomko came down to the ring - but Matt Morgan stood in his way. Morgan and Tomko traded fists while AJ Styles came out. AJ tried to leap into the ring, but Morgan dragged him off the top. Morgan then chased AJ and Tomko from the ring. Back in the ring, Cage hit the Unprettier on Joe, but Joe kicked out! Minutes layer, Joe hit the Muscle Buster on Cage and hooked him into the clutch - making the Instant Classic tap out for the first time in his TNA career as Joe took the victory!
Up next, it's the Monster's Ball Match with Abyss vs. Raven vs. Black Reign vs. Rhino. Weapons were involved early and often as Rhino took the early advantage. However, when Rhino attempted to hit the Gore on Abyss on the entrance ramp, he missed and went through one of the entrance walls down to the floor! Later, Raven came crashing down on Abyss on a table next to the entrance, which not only battered Abyss but bloodied Raven. Back in the ring, Black Reign hit a low blow on Raven and then hit a faceplant on Abyss. By this time, Rhino made it back to the ring and hit the Gore on Black Reign. Raven went for the bag of tacks, but manager James Mitchell came out and handed Raven another bag! Raven emptied both the tacks and bag of glass in the middle of the ring and went for a DDT on Abyss, but Abyss reversed it into the Black Hole Slam - sending Raven into the tacks and glass! Abyss then pinned Raven to win the Monster's Ball!
Up next it's the TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match with Kurt Angle vs. Sting! Sting took the early control, but when he went for the Scorpion Deathdrop, Angle countered it into a suplex. Angle poured on the punishment, hitting uppercuts on Sting and grounding him with a headlock followed by an overheard belly-to-belly. Later, Sting and Angle hit double clotheslines on each other, resulting in a near countout. Sting regained control and hit his splash on on Angle, then climbed to the top rope, where Angle met him and hit a suplex off the top! Angle went for the Olympic Slam, but Sting reversed it into a pin for a two-count. Then Angle hit Sting with three german suplexes! Later, Sting took control back, but Karen Angle came out to confront Sting - but police came down and handcuffed her and took her out! Then Kevin Nash came out and joined Angle in mauling the icon. However, Sting turned it around and managed to nail the scorpion deathdrop on Angle to get the win and become the NEW TNA World Heavyweight Champion!
TNA Superstars Comment On Fanfest
Category: Sports
DOWN IN THE PIT: BOUND FOR GLORY - A DAY TO REMEMBER By Ryan Jevec Special Contribution by Mike Kerrigan
(Ryan Jevec, a contributing writer for TNAwrestling.com is in ringside with the rowdy fans of the "Pit" at every event in Orlando, and presents a cutting edge perspective on the latest developments in TNA Wrestling.)
It is October 13, 2007, 7:30 a.m. in Duluth, Georgia, at Gwinnett Technical College. While most everyone in the city is still asleep or just beginning to awaken on this bright, sunny morning, at Gwinnett College, fans are lining up in droves to meet and interact with all the stars of TNA Wrestling. For on this day, nearly the entire roster of TNA Wrestling has descended on the Busbee Center to give back to their loyal fans, posing for Polaroid's by the hundreds and signing autographs by the thousands.
Fans from all points across the country and various countries around the globe have come together this special day, to have an opportunity to not only snap a photo or get their t-shirt signed but to also share a special moment, story or anecdote with their favorite TNA superstar. And even though this truly is a special occasion for the fans, it also is a special time for the stars of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling themselves, for this one afternoon enables superstars to step out of the ring, out of the spotlight, even if for just a moment, and bond with the fans who have faithfully supported them over the years. With this special event having just wrapped up a few short hours ago, presented now is a candid look back at the event through the words of the TNA superstars themselves.
In their own words, here is what TNA Fan InterAction and Bound for Glory means to the various stars of TNA Wrestling:
Chris Sabin: "TNA Fan InterAction has been a great experience and we want to extend a special thank you to all those fans who bought our brand new Motor City Machine Guns t-shirt, the hottest selling shirt at TNA Fan InterAction."
Alex Shelley: "First, I cannot give enough thanks for the plentiful supply of hand sanitizer in the room. That being said, thank you to the fans who are buying the MCMG shirt. I have seen more of this shirt than any other at Fan InterAction. TNA fans happen to have very good taste, sporting our lovely shirt over everyone else's."
Samoa Joe: "It (TNA Fan InterAction) is a great opportunity for me to get up close and personal with the fans and received their accolades, which I appreciate. It is always great to see the enormous amount of fans that have turned out in droves, meeting their favorite TNA stars and we get to meet them, so it's a great time."
Ms. Brooks: "Every FanFest is awesome, it gives fans a chance to come out and meet all of us and support everything that we do and in turn, gives us a chance to meet them. It really is always a good. Unfortunately, today, I happen to be stuck sitting next to Robert Roode, who likely is the biggest prick in the company. However, he does seem to be somewhat nice to all of the fans today, and of course, taking their money."
Robert Roode: "TNA is making me be here, so that is really the only reason that I am here. But, actually, this is an opportunity to make more money for myself, which is always good. And when you think about, it is a 'win-win' situation, the fans get to see me, and I get to take their money."
Crystal Louthan: "This is my first Fan InterAction and is honestly is so much more than I expected. The fans are loyal, hard-core, driving 8+ hours to be here in many cases. It truly is amazing. It is great that so many fans have wanted autographs and everyone is having such a great time. Definitely be back for more."
Wildcat Chris Harris: "Atlanta, Georgia, Bound for Glory, this is awesome. This is one of the best crowds I've ever seen. The fans are tremendous and so respectful of TNA Wrestling and the Wildcat. I am having a blast."
Don West: "This is one of the best looking crowds I have ever seen. I cannot believe the fans that are coming from so many different countries. I have met fans from Scotland, England, India, China and even Australia. It is just fantastic. I love Fan InterAction and the atmosphere, this is truly what this business is all about."
Mike Tenay: "I love the Fan InterAction. It is super opportunity to meet all the fans. It is so great for all the great fans to get up close and personal with all the stars of TNA. It was great in Detroit, in St. Louis, in Nashville, and it is absolutely tremendous in Atlanta."
"Instant Classic" Christian Cage: "It's just great to up close and personal with the fans and talking with them on a one to one basis, sign all of their stuff, and just have that true moment of interaction. I certainly appreciate this opportunity and I think the fans do as well, it's just one of this things that works out for everyone involved. The fans are so important, as we would be nothing without them."
Hernandez: "We're here in Atlanta, Georgia, meeting a lot of great fans. There are a lot of cool people here and everyone has been nice with us. This is a great experience."
Homicide: "This is a great day for all the people coming out to see their favorite stars, especially the Latino Nation. I am very happy to be in the ATL, as I have been all over the country but this is my first time. I am very happy to be here and it is great to see all the fans getting autographs and buying shirts, especially LAX shirts."
Lance Hoyt: "The Atlanta fans are amazing. There are a lot of people who have come out to support TNA. This is what it is all about. TNA is the next big thing in professional wrestling; in fact TNA is the BIG thing in professional wrestling. We are here now. We are the future, we are the present and we will certainly put everyone in the past. Lance Hoyt, Jimmy Rave and Christy Hemme are taking over TNA Wrestling."
Jimmy Rave: "This here in Atlanta is my hometown, so I am excited to be here and be a part of Fan InterAction. I am happy that TNA is coming here for the big pay per view and am having such a great time at InterAction."
Christy Hemme: "Fan InterAction is always one of my favorite parts of doing anything with wrestling. It is such a great chance to get out and meet all the greats fans in person. A lot of time you get that interaction with fans when you go out to the ring, but at Fan InterAction, you get that chance to hear the fans thoughts and feelings about everything that is going on with you and with the company. It is always nice to have that validation from the fans."
AJ Styles: "Fan InterAction just gets better and better with each year. This is my hometown so of course I am having a great time. This is what it is all about, meeting the fans who appreciate what you do and what they are watching. It is awesome."
Tomko: "Fan InterAction is great. If you are not here right now, you are missing out. And even though AJ Styles just knocked my water over, tomorrow night at BFG, he and I will become the new TNA Tag Team Champions."
Sonjay Dutt: "It (Fan InterAction) is such a great way for the fans to interact with us all, and without this type of event, contact like this would be hard to come by. It is that one on one opportunity that you just can't get anywhere else."
Black Machismo: "Yeah, it is a great opportunity, uh, to meet all the other Macho Man fans out there, ohh yea. And uh, that's always a positive, yeah. It's a great chance to interact with the fans and all the Macho Man fans, ohh yeahh!"
Gail Kim: "I didn't have the opportunity to go to Bound for Glory last year so this event is extra special to me. It is the biggest pay per view of the year and the biggest event and I am so excited to be a part of it. It means so much to hear the perspective of the fans in person and with the upcoming women's division and the excitement around it, it is a truly special time in TNA. We are simply gonna kick ass and deliver tomorrow night."
Eric Young: "Usually these kinds of crowds make me nervous, with all these people in one spot, but these people are being really nice to me…they seem to like me. And I got sit next to Gail Kim for two hours, so basically it is the best day of my life….probably to be followed by the worst day of my life when I get beat up by 15 guys, so we'll see what happens."
BG James: "Fan InterAction gets bigger and better every year. Just like TNA is growing, so is the fan base. And these fans are great; they are true fans of TNA, not any other "wrestling company," just fans of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. We just got two hours of television and we got about 2000 fans here looking for autographs so get this damn thing out of my face cuz I've got business to take care of."
Kip James: "Fan InterAction is great because you get to meet all of the people who come to see you and enjoy what you do. We have a great turnout today and when this many people turn out, you know you are doing something right. And tomorrow night at Bound for Glory, it will be more of the same thing…me and BG and Roxxi doing everything we can and bringing 110% to see us leave as the victors."
SoCal Val: "Fan InterAction is so great. It is great to see and meet so many wonderful fans. I love being here, signing autographs, posing for photos and giving high fives. You know, I always wondered what happened to the high five. I am always getting handshakes but nobody ever high fives…it seems to have gone the way of the word 'doy'….so I am taking the time to bring 'doy' back and the high five. So spread the word! And tomorrow night is so exciting as well with the debut of the women's division. It has been a long time coming and there are so many new girls here and I am excited to see everyone get their chance to shine."
Brother Devon: "Fan InterAction is a great thing where the fans get to interact with their favorite TNA superstar. It is just one of the many great things TNA Wrestling provides for its fans. Me and Brother Ray are getting ready for Bound for Glory, the granddaddy of them all, and it is TNA's biggest pay per view of the year….this is the day where all the build-up and determination of the year comes to a head. I am very excited about everything and getting to meet the fans and hear how they appreciate the things that we do in and out of the ring. But come tomorrow night at Bound for Glory, we are against the Steiners in a Tables Match and Rick and Scott have no idea what they must have done to piss TNA management off so bad that they would get put into a match that we (Team 3D) personally designed over the years. Well, Rick and Scott Steiner, the only mistake that Team 3D made was taking you out but not finishing the job. You see it is like a snake, when you want to kill a snake; you cut off its head and throw it in the trash. Well at Bound for Glory we are going to cut that head off and throw you in the trash and leave you in the trash where you belong. So as far as I am concerned, come Bound for Glory, there will be no more Steiners, Team 3D will reign supreme and go down as the greatest tag team in the history of this business."
Dixie Carter: "This has been a great Fan InterAction. What I enjoy so much is spending time with the fans. We have had a lot of repeat faces, people that we have gotten to know. We have learned about them and their families and that connection is really what has been extra special to me today. And also today with the debut of the TNA Wresting video game has been great….sharing it with all these great fans. I have really started to see a lot of the work over the course of the past month and I have just been blown away by everything. Midway has promised the best wrestling game ever and the media outlets I have spoken with have been amazed at what Midway has produced as well as with the TNA fans, and that makes certainly makes me proud."
NEW FOOTAGE OF THE "MAKING OF" THE TNA VIDEO GAME!
Category: Games
Coming in Spring 2008 to major gaming consoles By Bill Banks
Courtesy of Midway Games, TNAwrestling.com is happy to provide fans with new, exclusive footage from the "making of" the upcoming TNA Video Game!
The video features AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Senshi and Sonjay Dutt all competing at Midway's studios in Chicago for the motion capture portion of the creation of the game.
Fans can also hear the actual commentary from Don West and Mike Tenay!
Check back to TNAwrestling.com in the coming days for a new trailer for the TNA video game.
