Not looking forward to this week’s episode of Impact. It reportedly got the lowest rating since TNA’s failed “Monday Night Wars, Part 2”, and those were some of the worst episodes ever.

Tupelo, MS again this week for the location. And, shock of shocks, Hulk Hogan is opening the show. He claims he is shocked that Hulkamania is this crazy in Tupelo. He’s also shocked at the way AJ Styles walked away from Sting and Kurt Angle, brothers. But, when he walked away, Angle took the fight to him, brother. So AJ, go ahead and join Aces and Eights if you want, because who cares? Angle is going to keep chasing you to Slammiversary, brother. From his mouth to the fans, it’s official: Angle/AJ at Slammiversary. Speaking of that event, we’re going to have the contract signing for Bully Ray/Sting for the World title. Oh, joy. TNA has been under the microscope as of late, and a man who came and saved the day last week was Abyss. Now, Hulk would like to call Abyss out and shake his hand. Abyss, come on out, brother.

Abyss’ music hits, but he isn’t coming out. How many times is TNA going to do this stupid trick? I swear it happens every couple of weeks. Hulk calls him out once more, and the music once again hits. Instead of Abyss, it’s…well, it’s still Abyss. Just in the Joseph Park gear. Park says he sat at home last week and watched in shock as his “brother” returned to TNA. All this time he’s been looking for Abyss. He can’t believe that Abyss was here. Hulk says he’s not playing, brother. They need Abyss more than ever, and if anyone knows where he is, it’s going to be his brother…

Devon and D’Lo Brown come out through the crowd. Devon says he’s not after Hulk; they want Abyss as well. He stuck his nose in club business. He wasn’t even the legal guy in the match last week. Abyss needs to get out here right now, not this piece of trash (Park). Devon promises that he’s going to take a chunk out of Abyss’ ass. Park asks who Devon thinks he is, talking to Hulk like that. Devon talks about interfering in family business. If it wasn’t for A and E, Park would never have to be looking for his brother. Devon and D’Lo are starting to piss him off. He’s had it with A and E, so let’s do this right now: Devon vs. Park in a match right now. Devon tells him to shut up. He’s the TV Champion. Who did Park ever beat? If he wants a piece, he needs to prove himself first. D’Lo volunteers to kick Park’s ass tonight. Hulk makes the match official, and I die a little more inside. Devon says that’s fine, as he’s got all the belief in the world in D’Lo. But make it clear to Abyss that Devon promises to take a chunk of his ass. Hulk tells him after Park beats D’Lo, he’s going to give Park the green light to tear Devon apart. Testify to that, brother.

AI sees James Storm in the back and asks about last week. Storm silently stares at the floor as we see what happened last week. He simply says, “Watch. Just watch.”

Video for Christian York. He talks about winning Gut Check and possibly getting in the BFG Series.

MATCH 1: Bobby Roode vs. World Tag Team Co-Champion Chavo Guerrero
Roode starts with a headlock into an abdominal stretch. Chavo hip tosses out. Another headlock by Roode, and Chavo fights out before getting shouldered off the ropes. Crisscross ends in a Chavo hip toss. Chavo with a drop toe-hold into a side headlock. Roode sends him into the corner, and Chavo counters with a headscissors that sends Roode to the floor. Roode avoids a plancha, then yanks Chavo to the floor before sending him into the guardrail. Roode breaks the count, then goes back on offense on Chavo before throwing him into the ring. Bodyslam by Roode, followed by a jumping kneedrop for 2. Roode chokes Chavo over the middle rope, then thumbs him in the eye in the corner. Roode hits a snapmare and follows up with a rolling neck snap. They tread punches until Roode knees him. He telegraphs a back body drop, then sends Chavo outside. Chavo lands on his feet on the apron, shoulders Roode and hits a tope con hilo. Spinning headscissors by Chavo, and he looks for a monkey flip in the corner. Roode counters and sets him on the top rope. Chavo boots him and goes for a tornado DDT. Roode throws him off, but runs right into the 3 Amigos. Chavo calls for the frog splash and goes up top, but Roode gets to his feet and sends Chavo to the floor. James Storm walks out at this point, gets in the ring with a mouthful of beer and spits it in Roode’s face.

WINNER VIA DISQUALIFICATION: Bobby Roode. Storm turns the beer bottle around and looks to crack it over Roode’s head, but Roode escapes to the floor before that can happen.

Kurt Angle is on his way out to the ring. He is apparently calling out AJ Styles yet again tonight.

Angle makes his way out and says the A and E thing has been going on for about a year now, and it’s gotten to the point where you can’t trust anyone. Even AJ walked out. Angle never backs down from a fight. When he confronted AJ, AJ walked away so Angle took the fight to him. Hulk granted a match at Slammiversary, and it’s Angle/AJ one more time. But Angle doesn’t want to wait until Slammiversary to kick his ass; he wants to do it right now, so bring it on. Instead of AJ, Mr. Anderson makes his way through the crowd. Anderson says Angle sounds like a woman. He needs to get it through his thick skull that AJ is not his boy, and he’s very proud to tell Angle and all of these idiots here that next Thursday, live from Tampa, FL, everyone will witness the patching in of AJ Styles. And he dares Angle to show up. He’s going to get destroyed. Angle says he doesn’t want to wait to next week to fight, so he sucker-punches Anderson and beats him down. AJ enters the ring through the crowd and nails Angle with a Ghetto Blaster. Instead of leaving with Anderson through the crowd, though, he leaves by going up the ramp.

Video for Jay Bradley now.

MATCH 2-Bound For Glory Series qualifier semi-final round match: Jay Bradley vs. Christian York
Whoever wins this match faces the winner of Alex Silva/Sam Shaw at Slammiversary, and the winner of that gets entered in the BFG Series. Bradley backs York into the corner, then shoves him. York shoves back and rolls him up for 1. Arm wringer by York into an armbar. He goes for a roll-up, but Bradley decks him. They trade punches until Bradley pancakes York and follows up with a big boot for 2. Bradley hits some forearms to the back, followed by elbows to the chin. York fights back before getting hit with a kneelift. Bradley applies a rear chinlock now, but York armdrags out of it. He ducks a clothesline and hits a springboard back elbow. Bradley comes back with a bodyslam and calls for the Boom Stick. York moves out of the way and goes to the corner, where he hits a kick to the head and some chops. Bradley reverses a corner whip, but York counters the counters into a headscissors into the turnbuckles. York hits the Dreamscape and goes for the Mood Swing. Bradley escapes, and now they trade punches. York dominates, ducks a clothesline, hits a spinning back kick and goes for a monkey flip in the corner. Bradley counters and sets him on the top rope, avoids a dive and lands the Boom Stick for 3.

WINNER: Jay Bradley. Christy Hemme congratulates Bradley on the win and asks what it would mean to move onto the BFG Series. He says he’s one step closer to the series, and that means one step closer to being your World Champion.

AI stops James Storm as he’s coming out of Hulk’s office. Apparently, Hulk laid into him and he’s pissed. He then tells AI to just keep watching.

We see A and E celebrating in the back. Anderson says if there’s any question as to where AJ’s loyalties lie, the questioning is over. He can’t wait until next week. Speaking of patching in, he tells D’Lo he’s in a bad way. D’Lo needs to kick Park’s ass tonight to get his vest back.

Before the next match starts, we see Brooke Hogan talking to Mickie James. She congratulates James on her new album. James says she appreciates that, and she’d also appreciate more spotlight at Slammiversary. Brooke says she knows how bad James wants to dominate the KO division. Next week, she’s giving James a title match against Velvet Sky. Bully Ray walks in, which scares James off. He corners Brooke and tells her to tell dad that when he gets in the ring with Sting tonight, it won’t be a contract signing; it’ll be a negotiation. He says he’ll never divorce her after she asks about it.

MATCH 3: Gail Kim vs. Knockouts Champion Velvet Sky (non-title)
Sky avoids a kick, blocks a second and trips Kim. Armdrag by Sky, followed by another one and a snap suplex. Forearm shots to the face, followed by a running facebuster. Sky stomps Kim in the corner, ducks a clotheslines and hits a spinning headscissors. Corner clothesline connects. Kim blocks an axe kick and drops Sky’s leg across her shoulder. Kim begins attacking the leg, applying a legbar and hitting some elbows to the knee. She drags the leg to the apron, slamming it across. Kim gets back in, and Sky tries to fight her off. Kim trips and hits a leg DDT. In the corner, Kim ties the leg up, then drops across the back of the knee. More kicks to the leg before hotshotting it across the middle rope. Kim applies a modified scorpion deathlock, but Sky gets a rope break. Kim then goes for a stretch muffler, which is an awesome submission that isn’t seen often enough. Sky gets another rope break, so Kim backs her into the corner and foot-chokes her. Sky reverses a corner whip, but Kim blocks the charge. Kim goes up top, and Sky pulls her down with a modified iconoclasm. Both are back up now, and Sky hits a pair of jumping clotheslines, followed by a couple of kicks. Her knee gives out on her, but she gets back up and goes for the In Yo Face. Kim escapes and chopblocks her. Sky boots her into the corner and schoolgirls her for 3.

WINNER: Velvet Sky. I’m glad Kim is staring to break out the awesome submission holds again. Anyway, she drags Sky to the corner after the match and applies the corner figure-4. ODB eventually manages to get the hold broken.

Chris Sabin is talking about Kenny King, saying he’s the king of nothing. He’s not the best wrestler either, as that’s Chris Sabin. Cut to King, and he disagrees because he’s the champion. He doesn’t call himself King just because he has lips; he does it because he’s royalty around here. This segues to Petey Williams, and he calls King a thief, stealing victories in the three-way matches lately. Petey thinks he has a solution to the King problem.

Another video for Suicide. He returns next week.

MATCH 4-3-Way Match for the World X-Division Championship: Petey Williams vs. Chris Sabin vs. Kenny King (Champion)
Not one guy in this match got an entrance. Nice. King immediately slides to the floor to let Petey and Sabin duke it out. Sabin applies a side headlock. Petey counters into his own. They trade several holds and armdrag variations. Petey trips Sabin into the middle rope, but gets tripped by King and dragged to the outside, where King rams him into the guardrail. Have I mentioned how much I hate recapping 3-way matches? King gets in, where Sabin blocks a kick and trips him. Sabin fires off some knife-edge chops before getting hit with a back elbow. King ducks a clothesline and hits a Ghetto Blaster. Petey shoulders King and hits a slingshot lung blower before nailing Sabin with a dropkick for 1. Sabin rolls to the floor, and King attacks Petey from behind, choking him over the tope rope before snapping him backwards for 1. King nails Petey in the corner, then baseball slides Sabin. Corner whip for Petey, and Petey crashes to the mat. Bodyslam by King, followed by a springboard legdrop for 2. King applies a grounded abdominal stretch, but Petey fights out. King knees him and hotshots him over the top rope. Petey ducks a springboard, and Sabin comes in with some clotheslines and a forearm on King. Back suplex into a bridge gets 2. Petey goes after Sabin, but gets hit with a chop. Petey backdrops him over the top rope in the corner, but Sabin lands on his feet on the apron. Petey nails a forearm to the face, then hits a suicide dive. Back in, Petey hits a spinning headscissors into a side-Russian legsweep into a crucifix on King for 2. Petey hits a cradled complete shot for 2, then calls for the Canadian Destroyer. Sabin comes in and clotheslines him. King reverses a corner whip by Sabin, but Sabin blocks the charge and goes for a tornado DDT. King counters and hits a kick to the head before nailing a roundhouse on Petey for 2. Petey goes to the middle rope for a cross-body, but King catches him and hits a sidewinder into a backbreaker for 2. Royal Flush time, but Sabin pulls Petey down and hits a spinning back kick on King. Sabin lands a step-up enziguri on King, then puts him in the tree of woe. Petey is back up, goes for the Destroyer, but Sabin does a weird counter into a fireman’s carry. He then hits a running DVD on Petey into King, who is still tied up in the corner. Sabin hits a powerbomb, followed by a running seated dropkick. King drops him with a dropkick, then hits the Royal Flush on Petey for 3.

WINNER AND STILL CHAMPION: Kenny King.

We see Bad Influence in the dressing room. Christopher Daniels is worried about James Storm, and both members agree he’s a jerk. Daniels wants Kazarian in his corner for his match against Hernandez tonight. Kaz says Storm is afraid of both them.

We see D’Lo Brown and Mr. Anderson talking about tonight’s match. D’Lo says everything has been spiraling out of control, and Anderson blames it on D’Lo burying Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff. D’Lo says he messed up and is going to try to fix it. Anderson says he’s pulling for D’Lo.

MATCH 5: Christopher Daniels (w/Kazarian) vs. World Tag Team Co-Champion Hernandez
Hernandez backs Daniels into a corner out of a lock-up. Daniels thumbs him in the eye off the clean break, then stomps him in the corner before choking him. Daniels goes for a bodyslam, but can’t lift Hernandez. Hernandez counters into a delayed vertical suplex. Hernandez boots him, then hits an over-the-shoulder backbreaker drop. Hernandez goes to the ramp on the outside and nails an outside-in Air Mexico. Kaz trips Hernandez from behind, and Daniels lands a clothesline to the back of the head. Stomps by Daniels, and he follows up with a Nightmare on Helms Street for 2 before throwing Hernandez to the floor. Outside, Kaz stomps Hernandez down while Daniels distracts the referee. Hernandez recovers as Daniels taunts the crowd, hitting a slingshot shoulderblock. He follows up with a clothesline and a Polish Hammer before hip tossing Daniels out of the corner. He misses an avalanche in the opposite corner, and Daniels calls for Angel’s Wings. Hernandez escapes as James Storm makes his way out, beer in hand once again. Kaz bails to the floor from the ramp, and as Daniels is distracted, Hernandez hits a Pounce for 3.

WINNER: Hernandez. James Storm takes a mic and says that Hulk told him there would be repercussions for his actions before telling him to make an announcement. That announcement is that Chavo & Hernandez will defend the titles against Aries & Roode as well as Bad Influence…and Storm with a partner of his choice. Insert stupid catchphrase.

MATCH 6: D’Lo Brown vs. Joseph Park
So much for the Park gimmick being dead. D’Lo goes on the attack with a kneelift and a forearm to the back. D’Lo hits some forearms to the face and follows up with a bodyslam. Park ducks a clothesline and hits some punches before running into a back elbow that knocks him to the floor. D’Lo follows, slamming him face-first into the apron before rolling him back in the ring. Park fights back from his knees before getting dropkicked in the knee. D’Lo hits a shining enziguri in super slo-mo, then lands a low clothesline. Park makes it to his feet in the corner, where D’Lo corner whips him. Park dodges a charge and schoolboys him for 2. D’Lo gets back up and hits a jumping side kick before hitting a corner clothesline. D’Lo hits some rights to the head before arguing with the referee. He goes back to the rights, and busts Park open in the process. Park gets up and looks at the blood, which causes him to snap. He nails a pair of clotheslines, follows up with an avalanche, and the Black Hole Slam gets 3.

WINNER: Joseph Park. Park snaps out of his daze and begins asking the ref what happened.

The main event contract signing is up next.

JB is in the ring with a podium. No table, though. What the hell kind of wrestling contract signing is this? Bully Ray comes out first, then knocks JB on his ass and gets him out of the ring. Okay, I like that. Ray then ruins things by asking if we know who he is. He is Bully Ray, from “God’s country” in Hell’s Kitchen. He’s the president of Aces and Eights, and the World Champion. He’s the guy that defeated Jeff Hardy. He’s the guy that took Hardy out at his own game-Full Metal Mayhem. He’s also the guy who will defeat Sting at Slammiversary. Sting, he knows you’re listening and all of his fans can’t wait for him to get out here, but like he told Brooke earlier, this will be more of a negotiation than a signing. Sting probably has some “stips” (stipulations) he wants to lay out, so Ray is all ears. Sting comes out, and Ray tells him to stop on the ramp. He wants this to be official, with no discrepancies. Hulk, you may want to come out and listen to this. Come out, dad. Hulk comes out and stops on the stage as Sting is allowed to enter the ring. Ray says this is the first time he and Sting have been face-to-face since Ray screwed him over. Since he screwed Hulk over. And everyone knows how bad he was screwing Brooke over. If Sting is looking for an apology, he isn’t getting one. Sting says he doesn’t care. When Ray gets to Boston, he should take Sting’s arm and snap it in two. He should pull Sting’s kneecap off. Dislocate his elbow. Rip his throat right out. Take his finger, and gouge Sting’s eye out. Make him bleed. Ray asks why Sting is telling him to do this. Sting says if Ray doesn’t do it to him, he’s going to do it to Ray. He doesn’t care if it’s in the ring, out of the ring, in the concession stands, in the rafters, in the crowd…he’s going to make Ray bleed in Boston. He doesn’t have any demands, but since Ray is asking, he’s come up with one: he wants a No Holds Barred match. Ray says he bets everyone would love to see him bleed at Sting’s hands. Sting has got his match, on one condition: Sting agrees that, when Ray beats him, he never wrestles for the World title ever again. Hulk starts to interrupt, but Ray cuts him off and screams at him. He’s not saying Sting has to retire. He doesn’t want Sting to retire. He wants Sting to wrestle until the day he dies, knowing he can never wear the World title again. Hulk tells Sting he doesn’t have to do this. Ray says Hulk is running his mouth, making decisions for Sting again. Man up. Will you agree to the match, yes or no? Sting says yes, and Ray shoves him. Sting comes back with rights, and now they’re trading blows.

End of show.

-Dustin

Dustin Nichols is a freelance writer, and you can keep track of all of his work on his Facebook page, which can be found at www.facebook.com/DustinNicholsWriter. Oh, and if you like bodybuilding, check out his mom’s official site by clicking the banner below:

TNA Wrestling has probably gotten more people talking this week than in a long time. Unfortunately it’s not for a good reason. Austin Aries has come under fire for actions against Christy Hemme and while TNA says it has been handled, the question of when has become an even bigger story.

If you haven’t heard or watched Impact Wrestling last week the incident took place as Christy Hemme was announcing Aries and Bobby Roode. Hemme made a botch and called them the wrong names. Aries got upset and backed Hemme into a corner ending his temper tantrum by standing up over her with his crotch closing in on her face. To say it was awkward moment would be an understatement.

As weird as that was that was to see, the story took on a whole life of its own after the broadcast. Hemme was asked about it by a fan on her Twitter account later that night and she responded that it was “unacceptable.” Mysteriously her tweet disappeared. Aries sent out a tweet of his own afterwards which mocked the controversy.

“Pretty nuts some of the junk people get the balls to say over the net, knowing they couldn’t to you r face. Eh, anyway time to sack out,” and “Hey! Hey, I said! Look at me! Yo, over here! I’m right here people! Give me attention! Please. I desperately beg you to notice me! #Pathetic,” and “Wow….just wow, #Victim Nation.”

Former WCW announcer and Wrestlezone.com writer Mark Madden penned an editorial in which he called for Aries to be fired. Mutual friend Chavo Guerrero supported Aries on Twitter and accused Madden of creating controversy. Has Chavo ever said anything intelligent on Twitter? Anyway, the story blew up and appeared to be resolved.

Dave Meltzer broke down the timeline in his Wrestling Observer newsletter with quotes from Spike TV Senior Vice President of Communication.

“We have a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment. We discussed (it) with our partner. (He’s) being disciplined. I’m trying to get more information on what action is being taken. Dixie Carter took this very personally. He will be disciplined.”

Dixie Carter also sent out a statement saying that “TNA has zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior. The incident with Austin Aries was taken very seriously and handled immediately.” TMZ.com later confirmed that Aries was fined a “substantial amount”. TMZ also reported that “Aries — real name Daniel Solwold, Jr. — reached out to Hemme and privately apologized, acknowledging he crossed the line.” All sounds good right? Well there are a few holes to this story.

For one, what is the definition of immediately? TMZ.com didn’t release that story until Wednesday, six days after the incident. Carter was noticeably slower than usual to jump on Twitter and issue her statement. Hemme was tweeting and deleting hours later while Aries was also sending out tweets. Meltzer also pointed out on a podcast that he felt he got a runaround whenever he asked officials about it. So what really happened?

I don’t think TNA had any plans to act at all on this. I think it was external pressure that wound up driving this thing, specifically Mark Madden. Aries has been known to have a temper and a bit of a bully at times, so this isn’t something I’d call out of character. Quite frankly I think he should have been fired in this age of bully sensitivity but it’s hardly my call. A substantial fine doesn’t sound that substantial when nobody is giving me a number.

I am a former ring announcer with ECW back in 96-98. It is hard to understand how easy mistakes can be made until you are out there. You may leave the meetings with what you think is the right information but sometimes things change in the back, you aren’t notified, and mistakes happened. I made a few and even in the crazy world of ECW I never wound up with a crotch in my face. In other words this was unacceptable.

I remember one botch in particular at a television taping at the Monaca Golden Dome. Taz was scheduled to come out and squash two guys. He came in the ring, did his thing, and the referee tells me that to announce that one of the guys had been disqualified. I did and Taz got in my face and yelled that he was the winner. I kind of had a feeling that Taz was working so it didn’t bother me at all. I got word later that I made a mistake and was supposed to announce Taz as the winner and not any kind of disqualification. I felt awful to say the least! Here we are at a television taping and I got a finish wrong. Well I get back to the locker room at intermission and I walk into a room to see Paul Heyman about the second half. He’s sitting with all people, Taz. Paul asks me what happened. Now I could have taken two paths here. One, I could have just sucked it up and said I made a mistake and was sorry. Two, I could have told the truth in that the referee told me to call it a DQ so I just followed his orders. I was going to go with the first option instead of stooging anyone out. Before a word came out of my mouth Taz jumped in and told Paul that the ref had told me to call the DQ and I did nothing wrong. Paul said okay and it was done. Imagine that! A botched ring announcement is handled with more professionalism and class in the crazy world of ECW than the corporate structure of TNA.

I have seen some people give Hemme a hard time about the mistake. Honestly and I don’t know this, I am not so quick to blame her. Watch her during introductions. She looks at the camera and not at the aisle. I am sure that was something she was instructed to do. Quite possibly she was told before she went out there or by someone else that Aries and Roode were coming out second. It’s a mistake and there are lessons learned here, but is it really the end of the world? I mean we aren’t talking about a referee not counting the finish correctly here. We are talking about a freaking ring introduction! How and why anyone would get that hot over a botched ring intro is beyond my comprehension.

TNA already has a public perception of being sexist when it comes to its treatment of women (Daffney lawsuit, TNA Knockouts pay, and plenty of other gossip if you want to Google) which is incredibly ironic when they have a woman in charge. This is just another black mark on that reputation. They could have made a statement and turned that around by taking immediate, swift, and harsh action against Aries. They didn’t and shockingly here we are again with yet another story of accused story of sexism and sexual harassment.

The mistake made by TNA was much bigger than any botched ring introduction.

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Mickie James has always been a popular with pretty solid fan support for the last several years. Some of those fans had hoped that Mickie would be given the chance to steal the show in TNA Wrestling. Unfortunately she has been able to make little impact and according to her, it’s frustrating.

Mickie’s jump to TNA has turned into a case of grass not always being greener on the other side. Mickie was given the ball in the WWE and shined in her feud with Trish Stratus, arguably making an entire career off of one feud. Her fans have always been vocal and most were excited when she ditched Piggy James for the bright lights of the Knockouts division. A few years later I think it is fair to say that the bloom is off of the rose.

I thought I was the only one but it appears that I am joined by many who find that Mickie hasn’t been used enough in TNA. Mickie gets it herself and to her credit, is responding to those frustrated fans and interviewers during her most recent media tour. Time off is nice but Mickie is also not quite sure why she isn’t getting the ring time these days that most expect from the former Divas and Knockouts champion.

“I think this is a conscious decision I’ve made within myself,” James told Scott Fishman in an interview with the Miami Herald. “I wanted to be more real with myself and my fans because I feel like I have been sitting at home a lot lately and more than I should. Especially, while knowing who I am in the ring and what I’ve done and accolades I have and the level of wrestler that I am when it comes to females in this industry. I feel like often times that gets overlooked, which is bull because if I was a male in this industry that would not happen. But because I’m a woman in this ever-changing cycle of sex sells, this sells or that sells.”

“At the end of the day there are very few and far between of those who can stand toe-to-toe at the same level…That is what frustrates me. I can’t stand sitting on the sidelines and watching. I don’t think anybody as a professional or as an entertainer or as an athlete can stand. If I was injured, then that’s one thing, but to be completely 100 percent healthy and be doing absolutely nothing. To me, it built up my frustration up to the point of being just pussyfooting around as the girl-next-door with a big smile on my face and happy about every little thing when in reality I’m frustrated.”

The frustrations are clear and I can’t say I blame her. I look up and down the Knockouts roster and in terms of star-power I don’t think there is anyone as well known in the division than Mickie. In addition to her wrestling fame I can’t find anyone on the roster who is a better entertainer and/or worker in the ring. With declining ratings you’d think that TNA would want to spice up the broadcast more with Mickie yet they haven’t.

I have watched Mickie going back to her days on the independent circuit as Alexis Laree and I have always found her to be one of the most solid workers in pro wrestling period. I watch Impact from time to time and I just don’t see anyone there other than Gail Kim who can hang with her. How she wound up on the outside looking in is a good question someone needs to answer in TNA.

The funny thing about the ratings in TNA is that the Knockouts have always done well. Dixie Carter seemed to be a big fan of Mickie when she first came in so unless something has changed I would have to assume she has support from the boss. Her lack of airtime is just another one of those inept strategies and missed opportunities you see weekly on Impact Wrestling.

The easy answer here is a hope that she’d return to the WWE. I doubt that is going to happen. She described the Divas division in this same interview as being different as when she wrestled there and doesn’t believe they have the level of trust from the company that she and her colleagues had during her run.

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This week’s Impact opens up with Sting making his way out, and he’s accompanied by Kurt Angle. He says he’s showing up on June 2nd at Slammiversary as the #1 contender for the World title. Bully Ray concocted a plan to deceive everyone, and he succeeded, ending with the World title. Sting wants to strip Ray of his power by taking the title, but he doesn’t want to wait until June 2nd. He asked Hulk Hogan if he could assemble a team to face Aces and Eights tonight, and was granted that. They’re going against Aces and Eights in Tupelo, Mississippi, and he didn’t want the best; he wanted the best of the best, and that’s why he went with Kurt Angle. Angle says he was deceived like everyone else, but last week, he made D’Lo scream “I quit”. That’s just the beginning. He confronted AJ Styles last week about joining their team. So, now he’d like AJ to come out right now to ask him a question.

AJ makes his way out, and Angle says they’re ready for war. So, is he going to join them in the fight against Aces and Eights? AJ simply stares as Angle tries to get an answer, then says he’s sick and tired of asking. Now, he’s demanding AJ answer a question. Sting steps between them and tells AJ he’s been in his shoes and hid in the rafters. AJ doesn’t he have to hide; he just has to do the right thing. A and E is taking apart TNA, and TNA needs AJ Styles. The roar from the crowd is “The house that AJ Styles built”. He knows AJ wants to do the right thing and be in the 6-man later tonight, so let’s make it happen. Sting extends a hand, and AJ doesn’t respond. Angle grabs the mic and screams in AJ’s face that he’s either with them or against them. AJ silently walks away on this note as Angle continues screaming. Angle follows him up the ramp and gets in AJ’s face, which leads to a brawl between the two until referees come out to split them up. Meanwhile, Mr. Anderson and Team 3-D hit the ring. Anderson nails Sting from behind, and Ray/Devon hit the 3-D. Angle sees what’s going on and chases A and E off as Sting is left laying.

AI stops AJ as he’s trying to leave the building, asking if he’s going to leave these guys high and dry. AJ stares at him, then storms out of the building.

MATCH 1: Tara and Gail Kim (w/Jesse) vs. Mickie James and Knockouts Champion Velvet Sky
James attacks Kim with forearms, a pair of clotheslines and a dropkick. More forearms until Jesse trips James from the outside. Kim stomps her down and throws her to the corner. She goes to tag in Tara, but she’s making out with Jesse. Eventually, she makes the tag, and Tara begins slamming James’ face into the mat. She sets up the tree of woe and hits a baseball slide to the face. Kim tags herself in as Tara makes out with Jesse and hits some forearms to the face. Corner clothesline by Kim, but James begins fighting back with forearms. Kim blocks the Tunacanrana but takes a roundhouse to the face. Tara and Sky tag in. Sky hits a pair of jumping clotheslines, a kick and a running neckbreaker for 2. She sets up In Yo Face, but Kim runs interference. Sky throws her to the outside into Jesse, then hits In Yo Face on Tara for the 3.

WINNERS: Mickie James and Velvet Sky. Kim gets back in the ring and is giving Tara the business. After a couple of shoves, Kim hits a short-arm clothesline, then drags Tara to the ring post for the figure-4. ODB manages to pull Kim off after not too long.

A and E are celebrating the 3-D on Sting in the back. They talk about AJ for a moment until D’Lo Brown walks in. He didn’t know about the get-together right now. Bully Ray tells him there will be another one in the ring later, and D’Lo’s invited to that one.

We see Bad Influence enter James Storm’s locker room, presenting to him a six-pack of beer. They brought him the beer to remind him of what happened between Storm and Bobby Roode not long ago, and Daniels then says Storm should form a three-man team with them.

A and E make their way out through the crowd, with D’Lo Brown all the way at the end of the line. Pretty sure we all know where this is going. Bully Ray says we should know who the hell they are by now. They are the Aces and Eights. Tonight, he and his brother Devon, along with Mr. Anderson, will stand in this ring and take on Kurt Angle, Sting and their big mystery partner. We know damn well it isn’t going to be AJ Styles, as he’s finally starting to “see the light”. Who else is left to be hero? Whoever it is, don’t do it. You don’t want any part of A and E. And that brings him to his main point of business, that being D’Lo Brown. A couple of weeks ago, D’Lo disgraced the club and his brothers. Ray is going to make this short and sweet: take off your colors right now. Take off that “cut” and put it in his hands right now. D’Lo tells him no. Ray reminds him he’s the President of the club, then demands D’Lo’s colors. D’Lo says his “cut” is his life. No. Mr. Anderson gets in D’Lo’s face and begins screaming at him. Ray reminds him he said “I quit”, which means he quit on everybody. He let himself down, and now he’s going to cry about it like a bitch. How are you going to earn your stripes back? D’Lo says he knows Magnus has a match tonight, and he wants to kick Magnus’ ass. Ray tells him he’s going to sit next to the time keeper as DOC kicks Magnus’ ass, and he better hope DOC gets the job done if he ever wants to wear his colors again.

MATCH 2: DOC (w/D’Lo Brown) vs. Magnus
Match goes to commercial before it starts. When it comes back, DOC reverses a corner whip before running into a boot. Magnus comes off the middle rope, but jumps right into a big boot. DOC fires off some body blows in the corner, knocking him to the mat. DOC sends Magnus into the corner, hits an avalanche and a clothesline for 2. DOC applies a rear chinlock, but Magnus fights out. DOC cuts him off with a knee, then hits a suplex before firing off some rights to the face. DOC claws at Magnus’ face in the ropes, then boots him in the chest. Magnus blocks a pair of corner charges, dodges another one, hits a clothesline and a running boot. Magnus connects with the misdirection clothesline, then goes up top for the elbow. DOC is back up, and he nails an uppercut before climbing to the middle rope for a superplex. Magnus throws him off and hits the flying elbow drop for 2. D’Lo causes a distraction and drags Magnus to the floor. Magnus sends him into the steps and gets back in the ring, and DOC hits a fireman’s carry into a flapjack for 2. Back up, Magnus counters an Irish whip, and D’Lo accidentally grabs his foot, thinking it’s Magnus. Magnus uses the distraction to roll DOC up in a small package for 3.

WINNER: Magnus. DOC storms off through the crowd after laying into D’Lo.

We see DOC and D’Lo enter the back, where A and E are waiting for him. Bully Ray lays into D’Lo, then tells the rest of the group to hold him down. All of a sudden, I’m reminded of Heidenreich molesting Michael Cole. Ray continues to lay into him, then threatens to cave his skull in with a hammer. Anderson stops him and says he has a better idea. Why don’t they give D’Lo a job he can do? Ray agrees, telling him he’ll be getting beer and washing bikes, as he’s now just a prospect.

Sting and Kurt Angle are in Hulk Hogan’s office. Hulk is volunteering for the main event, and both Sting & Angle know he can’t and the doctor says so. Hulk says they’re right, but he has some new information. He got a call from some guy, and if this guy is in, he’s going to surprise everyone. Sting points out he said, “if”, which means it’s not concrete. Sting says Magnus just beat DOC, and they should go with him. Hulk agrees.

We see Bobby Roode and Austin Aries in the back. They’re talking about how to appeal to Storm, then approach him with a gift of beer. Bobby Roode then tells him he was always jealous of Storm because he was the face of Beer Money, and the only reason he won the World title was by breaking a beer bottle over Storm’s head. Storm takes the beer and tells Roode that Aries beating him for the title wasn’t a fluke.

MATCH 3-Winners become the new #1 contenders for the World Tag Team Championships: Austin Aries and Bobby Roode vs. Bad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Kazarian) (special referee: James Storm)
Christy Hemme introduces Aries and Roode as Bad Influence when they come out, and Aries is standing on the stage, understandably confused. He then gets in Christy’s face and orders her to introduce them right. Aries sticks his crotch in her face as she’s doing it, and she starts laughing on the mic. She then introduces their opponents as “THE Bad Influence”, proving once again she sucks at her job. Kaz and Aries start with a lock-up. Kaz reverses into an armbar, and Aries counters into an arm wringer. Kaz counters into his own, then trips Aries. Back up, we get another lock up, and Aries hits a series of moves before just toying with Kaz and taunting him in the corner. Another lock-up, and Aries backs Kaz into the corner before accusing Kaz of pulling his hair. Each man ducks a punch, and they both rake the eyes at the same time. Both guys go to the apron, temporarily blinded while looking for a tag. Roode and Daniels tag in now, shake hands, then boot each other in the gut. Roode eventually hits a shoulder off the ropes but misses an elbow. Daniels comes back with his own shoulder, then hits a palm thrust to the face. Roode knocks him down with a clothesline, hits a pair of Venis kneelifts and follows up with a side-Russian legsweep for 1. Daniels fights back, but gets hit with a neckbreaker after Aries knees him in the back from the apron. Snapmare out of the corner and Aries tags in. Roode hits a rolling neck snap on Daniels, and Aries follows up with a spinning European uppercut from the middle rope to the back of the head for 2. Aries hits an open-hand chop in the corner, and Roode tags in, choking Daniels with his boot. Roode throws Daniels onto the ramp, and Aries hits a double axe handle from the top before throwing Daniels back in the ring, where Roode covers him for 1 as Daniels gets a rope break. Kaz hits Roode in the back off the ropes, and Daniels sends him to the floor. Kaz hits Roode with a double axe handle from the apron, then stomps him down before rolling him back in the ring. Kaz tags in, and BI hit a series of double teams, ending with an elbow by Kaz for 2. Daniels drop toe-holds Roode, and Kaz hits a springboard legdrop for 2. Daniels tags in and goes for a move off the middle rope, but sends Kaz head-first into Daniels’ crotch, knocking them both down. Aries tags in and hits a running corner dropkick on Kaz, then fires off some rights on Daniels before hitting a rolling elbow. Aries goes for the brainbuster, but Daniels reverses into a roll-up. Aries blocks it and sends Daniels to the floor, nailing both members of BI with a wicked suicide dive. Daniels gets rolled back in, and Aries goes up top, mocking Chavo Guerrero in the process by hitting a frog splash for 2 as Kaz breaks it up. Roode comes in, and Kaz sends him to the floor. Aries goes for another rolling elbow, but BI blocks it into a double hip toss that they turn into a Villano Bomb for 2 as Roode breaks up the pin this time. Kaz goes for the Fade to Black on Roode, but Roode escapes and hits a spinebuster. Daniels hits Roode with a running STO, and Aries hits Daniels with a kneebreaker into a Saito suplex. Daniels goes to the corner and Aries charges in, but Daniels blocks with a boot. He goes for the Angel’s Wings, but Aries escapes and goes for the brainbuster. Daniels escapes again and rolls Aries up for a pin while holding the tights right in front of Storm. As a result, Storm won’t make a count. Daniels begins screaming at him, and Aries grabs a beer bottle. As Storm is looking away, Aries spits beer in Daniels’ face. He hands the bottle to Storm for a strike, but Storm drinks the beer instead. Aries shoves him, then taunts him. Daniels comes in from behind, and as Daniels grabs Aries, Storm goes for the Last Call. Aries throws Daniels into the kick at the last second. Aries then demands Storm make the count, but Storm stops at 2 before nailing Aries with the Last Call. Roode and Kaz are both just standing on the outside. Storm just leaves the ring and his music plays, which I guess means that the match is over.

WINNER: No contest.

We see A and E assaulting Magnus in the back yet again. Pretty sure I’ve seen this plenty of times. This time, though, Magnus actually begins to fight back. He’s successful for a moment, but the numbers are too much. Magnus spits in DOC’s face, and DOC nails him with a trash can. They set him against a forklift and kick what looks like a pile of metal trashcan lids into his face. With his face obscured by the forklift, of course.

We get a Suicide video. Why in the hell did TNA have to dust off this gimmick? It didn’t work the first time. What makes them think it’ll work now?

Immediately after that is a video for Chris Sabin, who returned last week.

World X-Division Champion Kenny King makes his way out now. In case you don’t know, he is Kenny King, your X-Division Champion. How did he get the belt so quickly? Simple. Since he’s been here, he’s been fantastic. Spectacular. Maybe even exceptional. They don’t like that here, though. Instead of one man, he has to beat two men every time now. That’s fine, as he always beats the odds. However, that’s not why he’s here. He’s here to introduce someone who knows all about beating the odds, and that is the former 4-time champion, Chris Sabin. Sabin makes his way out, and King says it would mean a lot to everyone if Sabin just told us all a story right now. Sabin says it’s pretty simple. The past two years, he’s either been in physical rehab or his basement. King has no idea what it’s like to dedicate his life to something only to have it taken away. King also has no idea what kind of drive and fighting spirit lives in Chris Sabin. Sabin has nothing left to lose at this point, so each time he gets in the ring, he’s going to fight like it’s his last night on Earth. King needs to enjoy the title, because next week, Sabin’s taking it back. King basically echoes everything Sabin just said, then calls Sabin a champion in his eyes. It would mean a lot to him and everyone in the building if we could see Sabin to hold the belt up. King says he wants this because this is the closest Sabin will ever get to the title as long as King is still alive, sucka. He then calls Sabin “Frail Sabin”, and even with good ACLs, he’d never be able to hold a candle to King. Next week, King is going to reign golden showers on Sabin’s parade (his actual words), and there’s nothing Sabin can do about it, because he’s the champ. Now give him back the belt. Sabin folds up the belt, drops it, then nails King with a right, sending him to the floor. As Sabin’s music hits, Todd Keneley makes a reference to R. Kelly. Obviously, I’m not the only one who noticed King didn’t think his promo all the way through.

The cameras cut to the back, and James Storm is laid out on the floor with both BI and Aries/Roode surrounding him, screaming.

Next week, the BFG Series returns. One spot will go to a Gut Check contestant as Sam Shaw, Alex Silva, Christian York and Jay Bradley will compete in a 4-man tournament for the spot.

We see Bully Ray with A and E in the back. He says not everyone is happy with the treatment of D’Lo Brown, but he had to do what was best for the club, and there is no room for the weak. Brown quit, so he’s now at the bottom ladder. Knux asks if there’s anything for D’Lo to do tonight. Ray says to have him make sure the beer is cold and the bikes are washed because when they’re done, they’re going out to look for women.

In Hulk’s office, Kurt Angle begins heading to the ring, saying they’re out of options. Sting follows him, and Hulk is back on the phone with the mystery person, telling him it’s now or never.

MATCH 4: Kurt Angle, Sting and a Mystery Partner vs. Mr. Anderson and Team 3-D (World Champion Bully Ray and World Television Champion Devon)
Sting and Angle come out by themselves, so we should expect the partner a bit later. I’m guessing it’ll be Jeff Hardy. Angle and Devon start by trading punches. Devon gets the best of the exchange. Angle comes back with a back elbow and an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Ray tags in and he begins dropping elbows and double axe handles on Angle. Angle ducks a chop in the corner and hits a deep armdrag into an armbar. Ray backs him into a corner to break it and misses another chop. Lather, rinse repeat. Angle turns the armbar into an arm wringer and tags Sting in. Sting is once again wrestling in a t-shirt, which means he’s not in good shape. Anderson tags in and fires off some rights. Sting comes back with an inverted atomic drop and a dropkick. Anderson rolls to the apron, and as he gets back in, Sting crotches him with the middle rope. Angle back in, and he sends Anderson into the corner. He stomps Anderson down, then sends him into the opposite corner. Anderson comes back with a kneelift and tags in Devon. Devon sends Angle into a clothesline by Ray from the apron before nailing Angle with a straight right. Devon hits a Snapmare for 2, and they go back to trading punches. Angle gets the best of it until Devon rakes the eyes and sends Angle into Ray’s boot. Ray tags in and hits a trio of avalanches. Devon back in, and Angle dodges a double back body drop, but gets hit with 3-D #2. The camera cuts to the back, and we see the rest of A and E laid out in the back. Commercials.

Back from the break, Ray hits a dropkick on Angle. Anderson tags in and hits some punches and a back elbow for 2. Taz just described Ray as “290 and ripped”. Neither of those things are true. Devon tags in hits a shot to the ribs before landing a neckbreaker for 2. Devon applies a neck vice. Angle fights out, but gets hit with a boot to the head by Ray on the outside. Devon follows with a spinning back elbow for 2. Bodyslam by Devon, and he follows up with a legdrop before mocking Hulk Hogan. Listening to Taz is making my ears bleed. Ray tags in and hits a neckbreaker. He follows up with an open-hand chop to the chest, but Angle ducks a second one and hits the Angle Slam. Sting and Devon tag in, and Sting does his typical “hot tag” offense on Devon, eventually hitting the Stinger Splash and the Scorpion Death Drop. He gets 2 as Anderson breaks up the pin. Sting throws him to the floor, then hits another Stinger on Devon and a facebuster gets 2 when Ray breaks up the pin. Ray and Sting go nose-to-nose before trading right hands. Sting eventually takes him down with a double leg and goes for the scorpion deathlock. Anderson comes in and breaks it up with some rights before hitting a Mic Check and knocking Angle off the apron. He goes outside and slams Angle’s face into the steps as Devon slides a table into the ring. Devon sets it up and they call for the 3-D.

All of a sudden, Abyss’ music hits, and Joseph Park…er, Abyss makes his way down. He takes Devon and Ray down with a clotheslines and punches before hitting avalanches on them. He boots both men down, then chokeslams Anderson through the table. For whatever reason, the ref doesn’t call for the bell. Abyss his the Black Hole Slam on Devon and gets the 3.

WINNERS: Abyss, Kurt Angle and Sting.

End of show.

-Dustin

Dustin Nichols is a freelance writer, and you can keep track of all of his work on his Facebook page, which can be found at www.facebook.com/DustinNicholsWriter. Oh, and if you like bodybuilding, check out his mom’s official site by clicking the banner below:

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Not since the inception of the New World Order in World Championship Wrestling and the edgy attitude era of then the World Wrestling Federation (WWE) headlined by DeGeneration-X have we seen any major storylines or angles in pro wrestling that has really grabbed the attention of viewers and made people talk again and tune in for long periods of time.

Ever since WCW was purchased by WWE in 2002, Monday Nights have been basically un-eventful and exciting to watch. Sure we had a brief period of time a few years back when Total Non-Stop Action (TNA) Wrestling attempted to ensue another Monday Night War with its Impact show starting an hour earlier than Raw, just like Nitro did back in the mid 1990’s. However, Dixie and company got spanked in the ratings enough over a short period of time, Spike TV quickly moved the show back to Thursday nights in its original timeslot citing that TNA fans expected to see the show on Thursday’s rather than Monday’s.

Let’s say for a moment, that Monday night of March 8, 2010 TNA did something crazy and big enough just before Raw when on the air live, would we still have a new Monday Night War today? Hard to say, however, never say never, right? The question remains.

Because Vince McMahon doesn’t really have any competition on Monday Nights, his product has been more of the same old same old rather than new an innovative. Yes, after years of a stale attitude era, Vince made the right move by shifting back to a PG format. However, he still needs to do that next big thing that will get people talking if the company wants to see ratings increase above the 4-5 million (sometimes less) on Monday Nights’.

Raw is supposed to be the flagship show, but now with Main Event, which is showing signs of improvement from when it first debuted last October on ION Television, Superstars, SmackDown and now Saturday Morning Slam, the creative team has to be exhausted from writing what seems to be an over-abundance of WWE television. As much as l have enjoyed and not enjoyed Main Event, WWE should stick with Raw and SmackDown and focus more on innovative angles and storylines that will get people talking again.

When TNA debuted in 2002, it was promoted as an alternative to WWE, a place where talent could go after the demise of WCW. Since TNA’s debut they have struggled to really find their own identity. When they first began, they looked like what many referred to as a lighter version of the WWF Attitude Era, then shifted to family friendly, then back to the more adult oriented format, which to me is worn.

Now don’t get me wrong, TNA has great potential. I have been to three house shows in my market, and if it’s one thing TNA does well beside put on a great fan friendly atmosphere is an action packed house show. The problem is TNA is too busy trying to worry about what is going on in WWE. Eric Bischoff was smart in the beginning before Nitro. He focused on improving the product in great detail and being different from WWE before introducing a new show that almost put Vince out of business.

TNA really isn’t doing anything different. Yes, they have former WWE and WCW talent, some have come and gone (Christian, Booker T, Scott Steiner), but really aren’t making waves other than going on the road live every other week, which was a great move for the company.

The more reality based format that touted at the next big thing in TNA was interesting at first but with no increase in ratings, that format quickly was erased and forgotten about. While their television production looks great in one aspect, for the most part, they still have that look and feel of WCW 1999. I don’t know how much longer Spike TV will put up with a 1.2 average before telling TNA they can find a new network.

Until something huge happens in both companies that doesn’t include trying re-create big angles and storylines with imitation like NWO factions that have proved to be failures such as Nexus, The Core, such Main Event Mafia, Aces and Eights, and possibly The Shield, no matter how big of talent you have, until you do something different that will get people talking again, the return of the wrestling boom will be a memory re-lived on DVD from many years ago.

By Jerome Wilen (www.prowrestlingringside.blogspot.com)

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If you thought Hulk Hogan had his hooks in Dixie Carter before, wait until you hear how the TNA president truly sees her knight in shining armor. According to Dixie, her number one babyface is bigger than any company, brand, and a few global celebrities.

There has always been this theory that Hulk and Eric Bischoff are taking Dixie Carter and TNA Wrestling for a ride. To be fair, a lot of people close to the situation say otherwise, but there have been indications along the way that they may not have the best interests of TNA at heart and that they had a money mark on their hands. Little did any of us know how deep in their hands they truly have the TNA boss.

I am sure Dixie Carter is a nice woman but my gosh does she say some of the dumbest things. I don’t have time to list all of her greatest hits but all you have to do is take a look at some of the brilliant musings she has tweeted on Twitter to get an idea that this woman is just not all there. That said, her latest comments may be her best…or worst yet.

Dixie was asked about Hulk Hogan’s power and on-screen role and according to her, he is bigger than the company itself. This what she told ContactMusic.com.

“He (Hulk) is bigger than any brand, company, name – he is synonymous with wrestling and is probably one of the most recognisable faces or figures on the entire planet. Name me someone who is alive today who’d be more recognizable in any corner of the world? In places like Africa and Asia, or if you were walking in Thailand? Princess Diana or Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley maybe? But they aren’t even with us anymore. The Rock? Well, if you are walking in a village in Africa would people know who The Rock was? I think his film work has been outstanding. I’m a huge fan of The Rock, I think he is phenomenal, but would that happen?”

Wow! Okay let’s put it this way. If Hulk Hogan really is bigger than all of those names she mentioned, than he ought to be fired because he should be drawing more than 10,000 people once in a lifetime to a TNA event. If he truly is as global as she thinks he is, he is the worst businessman in the history of the business and maybe he is.

It’s funny because Vince McMahon has made plenty of outrageous claims over the years but I was trying to think back and I don’t even think he compared any of his wrestlers to Michael Jackson or Princess Di. Now as far as the comparison to Dwayne Johnson, maybe he is more known globally than him. If that’s the case than you’d think he’d be able to compete with him for the over two million buys Johnson has drawn the last two WrestleMania events right?

This statement comes mind you at a time when ratings are declining and TNA just did one of their worst ratings yet. Maybe Dixie is just trying her hand at standup comedy?

That is the only explanation.

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Kurt Angle may come off as a lunatic at times on Twitter but he is a smart man. Angle is a company guy but he can see what is really going on in TNA Wrestling. That is why it shouldn’t be a surprise that he spoke up against Hulk Hogan in a recent interview.

Angle has been with TNA Wrestling now for five years. Sure he is crazy but he is still one of the biggest stars they have, maybe third only to Hulk Hogan and Sting. Angle has been all over the card since arriving and is now looking ahead to winding down his career. He is now looking at TNA’s future and according to him there are some problems.

Angle was recently interviewed by former WCW announcer Mark Madden. Madden kicked off an interesting exchange with Angle when he told the former TNA and WWE world champion that it should be him, not Hulk Hogan fighting off Aces & Eights.

“What I want is more Kurt Angle. It should be you battling Aces & Eights, not the guy who can’t walk anymore (Hulk Hogan). C’mon!”’ said Madden.

“You know what, I’ve had talks with Creative and, yeah, we’ve been going back and forth. I’ve been the staple of the company the last five years until, I would say, the last year. I believe they’ve been trying to use the younger talent,” said Angle
Madden responds, “Right, like Hogan!”

Angle answers, “You know what, that’s a touchy subject. I love Terry but you’re right, it’s about bringing up the younger talent. And the way to do it is having them wrestle veterans like me in the main events. Hopefully in the future they’ll start doing that more often.”

It is interesting that you see someone as respected as Angle speak out against Hogan and Hulk’s booking philosophy in TNA. I have to imagine that Angle is not alone in the locker room when it comes to those frustrated by Hulk pushing himself so hard. Read between the lines here. Angle is actually asking to do more in helping put guys over. This isn’t a guy who is jealous of Hulk’s spot.

My biggest issue in TNA is Hogan. I still enjoy watching Hogan from time to time but it makes no sense to see him as the face of TNA battling Aces & Eights when he isn’t even wrestling anymore. I am certainly not saying I want to see Hulk wrestle. That would be tough to watch. The problem here is that when this all ends that nobody is getting elevated but Hulk and that does nothing for anyone on the bottom-mid card.

I hope that Angle can use whatever influence he has left and try and get the booking brass to change course. It’s just not working. If he can’t make it happen, I doubt there is anyone who can.

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