(Image credit:TNA)
Kong and TNA Management are happy now?
In a report found on ProWrestling.net, it appears that some of the Kong vs. Bubba the Love Sponge issue has been smoothed over.
A meeting between Hogan, Bischoff, and Kong has apparently cleared most of the air with the matter. As was previously reported, she had asked for her release from TNA and refused to work the recent tour of Europe, even though she was advertised to be there.
The company did not grant her release, and it appears that request has now been rescinded. However, there are some financial issues now coming up.
One sticking point that is now coming out is that Kong is said to be touchy about how much new talent coming into the company is being paid. Part of the problem is that existing talent on the roster has not been given any sort of raise, in particular the TNA Knockouts.
We all know about the “Wrestlers 4 Haiti” group that Kong has started, and the money that was raised in Lancaster, PA for that cause on January 15.
It would be a shame to lose Kong from the roster over money, but a bigger shame if she would have been lost to the issues between her and Bubba the Love Sponge. I am happy to see they at least have ironed out the issue with Bubba, or at least it appears that way. This is a business as much as it is entertainment, so we’ll see what the future holds otherwise.
TNA’s WrestleMania weekend plans:
It was strongly rumored that TNA was going to target the Phoenix area for shows on the weekend of WrestleMania 26. That speculation started flying even stronger when TNA canceled their Canadian shows that same weekend.
As of right now, TNA’s live events calendar does not show plans for Arizona. They will have live events in Alabama and Georgia the weekend of WrestleMania.
This is a good move for TNA right now, actually. For all the talk of punching at WWE, they truly are better off not even trying to pull such a move as going up against the “Grandest Stage of them All” with live events.
Did We All Get Too Excited? TNA is now NOT slated for Monday, March 1:
It’s worth noting that the Spike TV Website has changed again. On March 1, there is a listing for a show called “Playbook” that is slated for the same timeslot that TNA was going to be taking. TNA is listed as airing on March 4 in its normal timeslot.
There are two things in play here. TNA could have asked for the site to be changed in order to make the announcement themselves, or the negotiations could have hit a snag and put the entire move on hold.
This has been an ongoing conversation since October of last year. Hopefully those involved can resolve this matter once and for all and decide a clear direction for their future programming.
Hall and Waltman – What is their deal with the company right now?
It’s worth noting that Hall and Waltman do not have photos on the roster page any longer at TNAWrestling.com. They’ve also been taken out of the opening montage for iMPACT.
This could be simply to play the angle up that Hall and Waltman do not have contracts with TNA, even though they continue to hang around. Unlike the January 4 episode where Hogan “just arrived” in the limousine but said he was “in the back all day with the boys”, they are truly making the appearance reflective of the storyline.
All that said, their long-term futures after this angle plays out are in doubt. Hall has looked pretty out-of-shape and rusty and Waltman has only been marginally better. I would prefer to see TNA send them on their way after this angle is completed.
St. Louis, Here TNA Comes!
It has been officially announced that Lockdown will be held in St. Louis, MO. Actually the event will be in the Family Arena in the St. Charles suburb. Lockdown 2007 was also held at this venue.
Dixie Carter acknowledged the history of the St. Louis area in the press release regarding the event. It will take place on April 18 on pay per view.
The main event that night will be for the World Heavyweight Championship, currently held by AJ Styles, against the winner of the Eight Card Stud Tournament that will take place at Against All Odds.
It’s no surprise that Flair and Hogan are being used in the marketing of this event, and heavily so. There are no plans for them to get in the ring and fight that night, but this is TNA so who knows for sure.
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A 37 year old engineer by day that enjoys writing on the side. I go back a lot of years in pro wrestling, from the old NWA/WCW days and the 80's WWF up til today with TNA, WWE, and occasionally some of the other independent federations. Primarily my scene here will be TNA, but expect a little bit of everything in terms of opinions and recaps in the world of pro wrestling from me.
I am surprised that Kong was able to work out her issues with them. Its good for the company though. She is a beast in the ring and it would be hard to replace her.