TNA Xplosion Report – 15/06/2011

TNA Xplosion: Douglas Williams vs. Amazing Red

TNA Xplosion
Wednesday 15th June 2011 – 12am on Challenge

THIS WEEK ON XPLOSION:
Douglas Williams w/Magnus d. Amazing Red in the Xplosion Championship Challenge
TNAOnDemand Match of the Week: King of the Mountain match – Mick Foley vs. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle from Slammiversary VII (2009)
TNA Spin Cycle: Featuring Brian Kendrick, Christy Hemme, Eric Young and Alex Shelley.
IMPACT Wrestling Rewind: Before the Bell – Sting vs. Mr. Anderson.

Taz and Jeremy Borash quickly run down the Xplosion format for the show, and it’s straight into the action.

Match 1: Doug Williams w/Magnus vs. Amazing Red.

Williams is accompanied as always by Magnus.

Williams and Red tie up, Williams with the go-behind arm lock swiftly reversed by Red. Williams gets out of it by dropping down and using a drop toe hold to take Red down. He then applies a front face lock. Both rise from the mat, Williams locks in an arm bar, whipping Red off into the ropes. Williams with a tilt-a-whirl which Red lands on his feet from.

IMPACT Wrestling Report: “No Tricks, No Gimmicks” – 14/06/11

IMPACT Wrestling: “No tricks, No Gimmicks"

IMPACT Wrestling: “No Tricks, No Gimmicks”
Tuesday 14th June 2011 – 10pm on Challenge

THIS WEEK ON IMPACT WRESTLING:
The war of words continues between Sting and Mr. Anderson ahead of Slammiversary
Winter & Angelina Love d. Mickie James & Tara thanks to Interference from Madison Rayne
Footage from the Samoa Joe/Crimson bar fight
Mexican America d. James Storm and Alex Shelley w/BobbyRoode
 Jeff Jarrett had some final words for Kurt Angle before their huge bout at Slammiversary
Abyss challenges Kazarian and Brian Kendrick to a 3-Way Match at Slammiversary
Rob Van Dam d. Bully Ray
 Velvet Sky d. ODB
 Mr. Anderson & Gunner d. Sting & Eric Young

We open the show with a recap of last weeks events and ultimately the firing of Mick Foley. Am interested to see how this episode pans out as the go home show before Slammiversary. I have seen no spoilers for either so sit back and enjoy the ride.

As you can expect first out tonight is Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Hogan tells us that as of now the Network have 100% confidence in them. Is it me but sometimes when they want to get something over they pump crowd noise in? Bischoff also tells us that they will also now present the X Division in a fair and balanced manner.

Mick Foley Blogs regarding his IMPACT Wrestling Departure

Mick Foley has posted his thoughts on his recent IMPACT Wrestling release over at his official blog.

Mick Foley: With benefit of hindsight, feels IMPACT Wrestling was a pretty good place to work.

LEAVING WITHOUT AN IMPACT

A few days ago, I woke up to the harsh realization that leaving Impact Wrestling meant I couldn’t take my kids to Universal Studios any time I pleased anymore. No Mummy or Simpsons without waiting, no post pre-tape rides on the Hulk-coaster. A few days from now, I will come face to face with an even harsher reality; for the first time in several years, there will be no paycheck awaiting me in the Foley mailbox. So with those two realities coinciding, I think it’s only fair that I’ve been asking myself whether working for TNA (Impact Wrestling) was really all that bad.

Eric Bischoff discusses IWC, Chyna, Mick Foley’s Firing, TNA Video Game, the UK and more!

Eric Bischoff - Thinks there was a very limited role for Mick Foley in IMPACT Wrestling

IMPACT Wrestling’s Executive Producer Eric Bischoff was interviewed on the Monday Night Mayhem show, you can listen to the audio here or readon for transcript:

-Eric talked about his recent comments on Facebook. Eric said he wishes he could explain this in crayon and stick figures for the 10% of the IWC that seems to find the need to bitch, complain and whine about everything. They sit with a stopwatch like it matters to anyone but them. The rest of the audience wants to be entertain (whether its promos, wrestling etc) and don’t care how its done. The IWC who lives in their parents basement thinks they know more about the wrestling business than anyone else.

Mick Foley comments on his TNA Release

Mick Foley: Released by TNA, believed by many to be WWE bound.

Mick Foley has confirmed he has been released by IMPACT Wrestling and commented on his departure via Twitter last night:

“I pushed hard for changes I felt would benefit Impact Wrestling. I can understand how some would interpret that as difficult to work with.

I like everyone at @ImpactWrestling – we just had some major differences of opinion. I wish them all well…for real.

I bet I can give you a personal highlight of my short-lived return to Impact/TNA that no one will ever guess. Want to try?

OK, so before I tell you one of my favorite parts of returning to TNA, remember, I don’t work there, so I have NO reason to make this up.

One of my favorite parts of returning to @impactwrestling was getting to know @hulkhogan4real a little bit. I’m completely serious.

Yes, @ironbound36 – I do personally like @HulkHogan4Real , and got a rush out of the in-ring segments we did together, especially the first.”

TNA Roster Cuts on the Way?

Rob Terry and Murphy: On the Chopping Block?

According to the Wrestling Observer, TNA Wrestling is reportedly planning on cutting several talents soon from the roster.

Officials have apparently been evaluating what’s working and what’s not working, trying to determine which talents aren’t fitting in. There is no word yet on when the cuts will be made but some wrestlers have apparently been told to sit tight while the necessary cuts are determined.

I would suspect that guys like Rob Terry and Murphy, who have been pretty much written out of current storylines, to be on the block. One potential big name cut is Mick Foley, who recently returned as the Network Representative but is rumored to have asked for his release following creative differences, a claim which Mick is has NOT denied. More on this as it breaks…

IMPACT Wrestling: “Anderson Center Stage” – 31/05/2011

IMPACT Wrestling: “Anderson Center Stage”

IMPACT Wrestling – “Anderson Center Stage”
Tuesday 31st May 2011 – 10pm on Challenge

THIS WEEK ON IMPACT WRESTLING:
Kurt Angle d. Rob Van Dam
Eric Young d. Gunner to win the Television Title
Abyss d. Brian Kendrick to retain the X-Division Title
Mickie James d. Winter
Mick Foley confronts Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff regarding their treatment of the X-Division, hints that Destination X will be an all X-Division PPV.
 Jeff Jarrett d. Matt Morgan
 Eric Bischoff informs Beer Money that if the injured Bobby Roode cannot compete at Slammiversary, they will be stripped of the Tag-Team Titles.
 Samoa Joe d. Amazing Red
 Velvet Sky calls out ODB looking for an explanation for her recent actions.
 Mr. Anderson (dressed as Old School Sting) hosts the first ever “Scorpion Sit Down” with Disco Inferno. Attacks Disco, Sting makes the save.
 AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels d. Bully Ray & Tommy Dreamer in a Street Fight

Impact Wrestling opens this week with a graphic of one of my all time favorite wrestlers the late great Randy “Macho Man Savage” Poffo.

I would like to welcome you to my first review here on the site of Impact Wrestling, I would like to thank Ray and all the guys here at TNAUK.tk for asking me to take over reviewing the show. I hope you enjoy my take on this weeks show.

TNA UK TV Ratings – Week Ending 22nd May 2011

TNA Wrestling on Challenge

The UK TV Ratings are in for the week ending 22nd May 2011 and it’s further good news for TNA Wrestling on Challenge!

According to the Broadcasters Audience Research Board – TNA iMPACT! scored a superb 197,000 viewers, for the Tuesday 17th May “The Network’s Revenge” episode featuring the surprise appearances of Mick Foley, Chris Harris and Chyna. The show was headlined by 25 Man Battle Royal  main Event won by Mr. Anderson. This was up 4,000 viewers on last weeks episode and means TNA Wrestling on Challenge continues to be the top rated wrestling programming on UK television for the seventh consecutive week and 11th time overall this year.

TNA Sacrifice, headlined by Sting vs. RVD - the most watched TNA PPV broadast ever in the United Kingdom.

But the biggest ratings news of the week is in relation to the TNA Sacrifice PPV broadcast. The event, featuring a heavily hyped Sting vs. Rob Van Dam World Title matchup drew a record 204,000 viewers, meaning TNA Sacrifice is the most watched TNA PPV ever broadcast on UK television!

Sacrifice ranked 1st overall amongst all programming on Challenge for the week, with IMPACT in second place.

TNA Xplosion, featuring a Douglas Williams vs. Okada main event, ranked outside the top 10 highest rated programs on Challenge TV and thus i’m unable to confirm the exact viewing figures for the episode. However the lowest ranked of the top 10, Catchphrase, drew 124,000 viewers and thus Xplosion falls somewhere below that figure.

Here is the Top 10 ranked programs on Challenge for the week:

Challenge
w/e 22 May 2011

1	TNA PPV TNA SACRIFICE (WED 2200)	204
2	TNA IMPACT (TUE 2158)	197
3	IN IT TO WIN IT (TUE 2059)	154
4	BULLSEYE (MON 2332)	152
5	BULLSEYE (MON 2301)	147
6	FAMILY FORTUNES (TUE 2031)	145
7	FAMILY FORTUNES (TUE 2003)	139
8	CATCHPHRASE (TUE 1934)	138
9	CATCHPHRASE (THU 1901)	131
10	CATCHPHRASE (WED 1930)	124

WWE’s RAW, headlined by a John Cena versus Jack Swagger No Holds Barred Match posted 110,000 viewers, down a whopping 43,000 viewers from last week alone.

And of even more concern for WWE is their other flagship show “Smackdown” which saw a 51,000 viewer drop with a show which featured a Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry main event. The show drew just 81,000 viewers.

WWE’s Over the Limit Pay-Per View, airing on Sky Sports 2, drew a decent 159,000 viewers for the event headlined by a Miz/John Cena WWE Title main event.

Here’s an overview of viewership for all wrestling programming for the week:

Weekly Ratings Summary:

1	TNA SACRIFICE (WED, Challenge, 2200)	204,000
2	TNA IMPACT (TUE, Challenge , 2158)	197,000
3	WWE OVER THE LIMIT-LIVE (SUN , Sky Sports 2, 2500)	159,000
4	WWE LATE NIGHT RAW – LIVE (MON, Sky Sport 3, 2600)	110,000
5	WWE LATE NIGHT SMACKDOWN (FRI, Sky Sports 4, 2203)	81,000
6	WWE LATE NIGHT BOTTOM LINE (MON, Sky Sports 3, 2201)	57,000
7	WWE AFTERBURN (SUN, Sky Sports 4, 0900)	34,000
8	TNA Xplosion (TUE, Challenge, 2400)	Under 124,000

Weekly Ratings Wins so far (2011)*:

TNA iMPACT! – 11
WWE RAW – 2
WWE Smackdown – 2

*Based on first showing viewing figures, not inclusive of +1 or replay figures.

**SPOILERS** TNA Monday TV Taping Results (30/05/2011)

IMPACT Wrestling Zone - Orlando, FL.

TNA kicked off this weeks set of IMPACT Wrestling and Xplosion tapings yesterday at the Impact Wrestling Zone, Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. This is for the episode set to air in the UK in a weeks time on June 7th at 10pm on Challenge TV. WARNING THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS for upcoming episodes of IMPACT Wrestling and Xplosion – DO NOT READ on if you wish to avoid spoilers. Otherwise, click the “read more of this post” option at the end of this paragraph.

TNA Xplosion Report – 25/05/2011

TNA Xplosion: Desmond Wolfe returns as commissioner

TNA Xplosion
Wednesday 25th May 2011 – 12am on Challenge

THIS WEEK ON XPLOSION:
Desmond Wolfe returns as Xplosion Commissioner
TNA announces 2012 Maximum Impact Tour Featuring Sting!
“The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero d. Sudicide to advance in the Xplosion Championship Challenge
Devon confronts “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero post-match
TNAOnDemand Match of the Week: Kazarian vs. Kurt Angle (Slammiversary 2010)
TNA Spin Cycle: All Knockouts Edition
TNA Rewind: Mr. Anderson’s “surprise” for Sting on IMPACT Wrestling

A new opening theme for Xplosion is the first order of the day. A lot heavier than the previous, and packed full of TNA A-listers. On the commentary desk Taz and Jeremy Borash tell us that there will be all kinds of goodies in today’s show, including the TNA On-Demand Match of the Week, an all-Knockout’s Spin Cycle and all the latest information on the UK tour in January.