Date: 08/06 | 10:44 PM |
Views: 1,992 |
The Associated Press has a story up on Pacman Jones entering TNA. The highlights include that he signed his contract and is scheduled to make his debut on Impact this Thursday then appear at the Hard Justice PPV on Sunday, and that TNA's Steven Godfrey did not confirm if he would wrestle but "he will be involved in a storyline." For better or worse it's now full steam ahead on his TNA run with no turning back. The article does include a note stating that Pacman Jones is not the first Titan to appear TNA - many will remember that Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch was in the corner for retired tight end Frank Wycheck at Slammiversary in June.
If TNA planned this as a publicity stunt it appears to have worked. www.PWInsider.com is reporting that TNA has gotten coverage from ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and nearly every media outlet in Nashville, which I had some firsthand experience with. In Tennessee at least this is a huge deal.
At least TNA has learned SOMETHING from the negative talk about WWE and drug abuse - PWI says that TNA management are discussing a "wellness policy" which would include regular drug testing of performers this fall, coinciding with their move to a two hour show. As has been noted by many wrestling writers both here and elsewhere, TNA currently has no policy in place, and performers can literally load up on anything they want.
Speaking of a two hour show, PWI indicates that management would expand the taping schedule to run both Monday and Tuesday at Universal Studios, then return every two weeks for another two-day taping session. Obviously at this point no form of live show of ANY length is on the table.
This is either funny or sad, but as noted this weekend on Rocketbusta Radio TNA's section on YouTube has been removed for "terms of service violations." Since that time they have moved all of the "TNA Today" videos and the like to their official MySpace page. We apologize if you find any broken TNA links in Wrestling Videos of Interest as a result but these things happen - YouTube videos get pulled and accounts get suspended quicker than you can blink. Videos are there today, gone tomorrow.
And SPEAKING of MySpace you have to say this much for Andrew 'Test' Martin - he certainly seems enthusiastic about his new job with TNA. On his MySpace blog he puts over the company big time. "I know TNA stands for Total nonstop Action but I learned last night it also stands for Totally NO Assholes!! I want to thank everyone for making me feel right at home right away and seeing first hand what a wrestling company really should be. I'm not here to bash any other companies...I have no regrets but in just one night at TNA I felt more comfortable than I did anywhere else. Everyone is so hands on and so positive." Best of luck to him in TNA but for the love of all holy PLEASE drop 'The Punisher' gimmick post haste.