Kurt Angle speaks – WWE return?, Nash’s WWE treatment

“Sports Axxess” on PW 24/7 Radio with Kurt Angle
Hosts: Jerry Sorrentino, James Jefferson, and Joey Image
Full episode available at PW247radio.com

Kurt Angle on the hamstring injury he had to work through during his title defenses against Bobby Roode and James Storm: “I did have to be careful of the injury when I wrestled James Storm at the TV tapings. I gave it all I could, which was only one minute of wrestling. I’ve only missed nine days but now I’m back to Olympic form. It was just a slight tear in my hamstring but there was a lot of bleeding. The bleeding went all the way down my hamstring, down my calf, down my shin, all the way down to my foot. It was black and blue, but the injury wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. But now I’m back to training. I’ve done a lot of interviews and gotten a lot of attention for training for an Olympic comeback. My only obstacle is Jake Barter. He’s almost guaranteed to win a medal because he is that good. So if I beat him, USA wrestling wants to make sure I’m capable of winning a medal. So they want me to come out and train at Colorado Springs, and I’m going to do that. I think I have a great shot at making the team.”

On getting into MMA: “I’ve had a lot of talks with Dana White. While he’s denied the offers, Dana and I respect each other enough for us not to say exactly what was offered. The thing was, he wanted me to be ready in a short time and I couldn’t do that. I wanted months, he wanted weeks. We’re good friends and I hope he has great success. But you know what, he’s said some negative things about me in the press. I still love him to death. I did pass his physical, meaning I was ready for competition, but he wanted me to be ready in four to six weeks and I couldn’t do that. It’s impossible. There’s also the fact that I’m signed with TNA and Dana didn’t want anyone fighting for him and wrestling at the same time. So Dana White, God bless you. Whatever you say, I’ll respect that because I know you wanted me to fight for you and wanted me to be your guy.”

On Kevin Nash: “I love him to death. I know why he went to WWE. He wanted the carrot. He wanted that carrot they dangled in front of his face. But has the WWE used him the right way since he came back? No. Kevin should come back to TNA where they can use him the way he should be. WWE thinks he’s old and washed up but TNA doesn’t think that. TNA wants Kevin Nash. He is so gifted, talented, and popular. I want him back in TNA because he’s one of my best friends.”

On working in wrestling after retirement and potentially joining the WWE Hall of Fame: “If I end up in the Hall of Fame in the WWE, I don’t know if I’ll accept it. I love Vince McMahon. He made me a lot of money and was like a father figure to me. But Dixie Carter is my boss and I love her to death. So I don’t know what I’m going to do. I would like to say that I am not going back to the WWE. But Vince McMahon may offer me something when I retire and I’m done with TNA. But I’d also like to be part of creative or be an agent in TNA. Out of everyone in the world, I am the best at coming up with finishes. I would like to stay with TNA and do that. A lot of people ask if I’d go back if Vince wanted me for WrestleMania, and I don’t know the answer to that. But I know I am happy in TNA and I’d like to stay there.”

All this and much more can be heard in the full hour long interview with Kurt Angle. This interview, along with countless hours of other original pro-wrestling content, can be found exclusively and for free only on PW 24/7 Radio.

WWE demands Kevin Nash to dye hair

– Kevin Nash reportedly tried returning to WWE TV without dying his hair black but officials insisted that he dye it black because they wanted him to look younger. Nash tried to get out of it but WWE wouldn’t budge. It’s said that Nash prefers his gray hair and when he was in TNA, people pushed for him to dye it but he wouldn’t.

– As seen on Monday’s RAW, Kevin Nash said that CM Punk looked like a cook from a Waffle House in Pikesville. It’s said that Nash was actually taking a shot at TNA, referring to Pikesville, Kentucky – one of TNA’s hottest markets for live events. Nash was always against working live events in TNA and backstage at the few he did work, he never took them seriously.

Matt Hardy claims he has a ghost – details

Matt Hardy posted to his own Twitter the following:

I know I’ve mentioned to all of you about the footsteps, or “presence” in my house. Tonight we actually saw something, & it was insane.

And when I say insane, I mean terrifying. Some of it is on camera, you’ll see. I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Reby & I were shooting footage for my next YT entry, when we caught something VERY unexpected on camera. Footage is uploading now..

I’m gonna put it up on my YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/MATTHARDYBRAND so the World can see my home’s entity, spirit, or whatever it is.

The video is here:

John Cena's message to the fans, Foley praises Cena

John Cena tweeted the following last night after RAW: “CeNation. Amazing to see in times of crisis, and change, who your freinds are. Thanks to all of u who never give up…. And for those that wish for our demise, now is when we rise above the hate, and overcome. Can’t wait to get my hands on Del Rio. Yawn ..stop looking at this bizz in black and white. I am not a “heel” or a “face”, I am me. I find it comical that u truly believe. That archaic ideology still exists. Today, wwe fans cheer for who they please, which is why I love this company. I should mail u a pair of my shorts, because your stuck in 1993. I thought I made it pretty clear at contract signing where I stood. I guess there’s a lot of folks out there whose capacity is as limited as “my offense”. :) I back those who back me. And those who back me, get ready for one Helluva few months! Rise Above Hate. This “soap box moment ” was brought to you by Fruity Pebbles. :) Thanks again to ALL those who never give up.”

Mick Foley tweeted the following last night regarding John Cena:

“I really enjoyed the angry, serious tone of @johncena . Might be about time more fans started recognizing his legacy of amazing matches.

Sorry to disagree with so many of you, but go through your archives and look at how many good/great/amazing matches @johncena has had on PPV

You may not like the character, but @JohnCena is a workhorse, and hasn’t been in a bad PPV (that I’ve seen) in a long time. He CAN wrestle!

Come on, someone find me a bad @johncena PPV. He’s been a part of classic stuff with regularity for years. It’s NOT just the opponents guys.

Look, I was clearly more of an @WWE fan even when I was with TNA. I just call them like I see them…and I see Cena favorably.

I really appreciate all the feedback from everyone. I’ll grant you that his last Mania wasn’t great, but his match with @therock will be.

Good conversation, everyone. Remember when @johncena wrestled 10 minutes with Orton AFTER tearing his pec off the bone? THAT is HEART!”

The released superstars and their plans

- D.H. Smith's post-WWE plans:

WWE announced Friday that they had come to terms on the release of David Hart Smith, who Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis once deemed a future WrestleMania main eventer. The third generation talent revealed that he is returning to Japan, where he competed prior to joining the sports entertainment promotion in 2006.

“Yup, Japan here I come! No more WWE, had a great time tho.” Smith wrote on his Facebook page.

His mother, Diana Smith, stated in April that David had plans to cross over to mixed martial arts.

- Gail Kim insisted on quiting WWE:

Gail Kim insisted Friday on her Twitter account that she quit WWE on Monday and was not released.
“I didn’t ask for a release. I QUIT,” she wrote to TNA Wrestling performer Lisa Marie Varon (a/k/a Tara). “Lol meaning I don’t want their money I’d rather be freeeeeeee haha.”

She commented further, “I don’t know but I’ve been telling them since Monday I quit. So either they have control issues or they’re in denial.”

WWE, however, has yet to announce that she has been released from the organization. Regarding their lack of announcement, she wrote, “Future endeavor message? Ok here it is: I wish the WWE the best in their future endeavors!”

Varon is lobbying on Twitter for Kim to return to TNA Wrestling, where the Canadian grappler presided as the first Women’s Knockout Champion.

“Super excited to hear about Gail asking for her release. TNA TNA TNA!!!!!” she exclaimed. “Oops I mean Impact Wrestling! Impact Wrestling! Impact Wrestling!!!!”

Christy Hemme, who appears as a ring announcer for TNA, is also lobbying for Kim to return.
“What!??!? Come back to TNA then!!!” she wrote after learning of Kim’s departure from WWE. “Love seeing all the excitement for Gail Kim. My fav bad ass female wrestler makes life on her own terms!! Of course she does!!”

Kim says she is glad to leave WWE, calling it “the best thing ever.”

“Everyone sounds upset or sad or concerned..trust me it’s the best thing ever. Now my life can begin. All the negativity is gone and control over my life. No one can hold me down but me now!”

– Chris Masters’ first post-WWE booking will be for the World Stars of Wrestling’s tour of Portugal, which begins August 19th.

Swagger to be daddy, Foley at Mania 28?, Sin Cara returning?

– WWE developmental Diva Catalina White is pregnant. She is the wife of SmackDown! star Jack Swagger.

– There have been talks within the WWE office about possibly bringing Mick Foley back for a major match at WrestleMania 28 next year. When Foley was granted his release from TNA, part of the agreement was that he could not appear on WWE TV until his contract would have expired, which is in September.

– Mick Foley noted on Twitter that he was considering an offer to appear on ABC’s Wife Swap reality series. He asked fans what they thought, and more than half of the feedback seemed against it. Foley noted that he had a decision to make.

– The decision was made yesterday (Wednesday) to bring Sin Cara back to the WWE roster after all. Of course, he is currently serving a 30-day drug suspension for what is believed to be steroids.

– On Tonight’s edition of WWE SmackDown!, they will feature a video hyping that Sin Cara will return next week.

Video: Sheamus radio interview - mentions TNA

Sheamus participated in a radio interview with Mix 106.1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Tuesday to promote that evening’s SmackDown! taping at the Wells Fargo Center. The Celtic Warrior discusses his road to WWE, during which he mentions TNA. He recalls being signed to a developmental contract years ago along with other European talent such as Rob Terry and points out that he later went to TNA. The two-time world champion also reveals his personal goals and which wrestlers gave him advice early in his career.

Kurt Angle: I Nearly Ended The Undertaker’s Streak

WrestleCast as part of The Sun in the UK is featuring an interview with TNA star Kurt Angle who claims WWE was considering having him end The Undertaker’s streak at Wrestlemania 22 back in 2006:

Angle said: “It was considered back in 2006. The person who wanted to do it was Undertaker himself. I was flattered, for him to go to Vince McMahon and pitch it. Undertaker at that point never had a five-star Wrestlemania moment match. He figured that the only one he could do it was me, at the time. Thank God a couple of years later he had Shawn Michaels, and it worked. But Undertaker really wanted to have that match, he asked Vince to push our match back from No Way Out to WrestleMania and, since I was champion they wanted me to keep the title, Undertaker was willing to take the loss. To me that meant a lot because Undertaker had a lot of respect for me — and I had more respect for him than he did for me.”

Of course, this is Kurt Angle we’re talking about so take this with a grain of salt.

Kong’s WWE Ring Name Revealed

Kia Stevens’ ring name in WWE will be Kharma.

WWE filed a trademark for the term on April 12.

Last Monday on RAW, a vignette aired promoting the debut of the wrestler formerly known as Awesome Kong. Another one will air tonight.

Report: Tough Enough contestant nearly signed with TNA

– WWE Tough Enough contestant Jeremiah Riggs, the mixed martial artist, met with TNA Wrestling’s Director of Talent Relations Terry Taylor about joining the promotion before he wound up on the reality program. The organization showed in interest in Riggs due to his role on VH1′s Daisy of Love and because he has prior wrestling experience. Riggs trained with Dutch Mantel before turning his focus to MMA.

– David Otunga celebrates his 31st birthday today.

Report: Matt Hardy involved in altercation at WrestleMania

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

There was an altercation between TNA Wrestling talent Matt Hardy and members of the WWE Tough Enough cast at a hotel bar in Atlanta, Georgia during WrestleMania XXVII weekend.

While details of the incident have yet to be disclosed, Reby Sky, Hardy’s real-life girlfriend, revealed on her Formspring account that she and Hardy were “banned for life” from the hotel in question.

One WWE source said that if a main roster talent had done some of the things they did, termination would be likely if they were low enough on the totem pole.

Surprises at WWE Axxess, JR to call WrestleMania, Ric Flair

– The early evening session of WrestleMania AXXESS on Friday saw an angle and match where Roddy Piper and MTV star Rob Dyrdek beat Tyson Kidd and Zack Ryder. The footage will be used for Drydek’s show.

– WWE Hall of Famer Wendi Richter made a surprise appearance at Friday’s WrestleMania Axxess event. She may appear at Sunny’s HOF induction as well. We’ll see later tonight.

– Jim Ross told fans at Friday’s WrestleMania Axxess event that he would be calling some matches at WrestleMania XXVII. This is what we’ve been reporting despite Ross’ constant denial in recent weeks. The denial is likely because he was unaware of the WWE creative plans.

– TNA Wrestling Superstar Ric Flair is staying at WWE’s hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
It is said that he will be attending tonight’s WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, to witness Shawn Michaels’ enshrinement.

Report: Awesome Kong spotted in Atlanta, GA (Pic)

Former TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Awesome Kong was spotted today at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Also, a fan today posted a cell phone photo online of Kong sleeping on a flight en route to Atlanta earlier today. You can click here to view it.

Also, a source sent this one in: Possible Spoiler…Just saw Shelton Benjamin at airport. Of course, Shelton is in town for the ROH i-PPV events.

Ex-WWE Diva Ashley Massaro rips Velvet Sky!

Former WWE Diva Ashley Massaro appeared on last night’s episode of the online show Highway 2 Helms (hosted by former WWE talent Gregory Shane Helms), during which she took a noteworthy shot at TNA Knockout Velvet Sky.

While Helms was discussing a WWE road story that took place years ago in Corpus Christi, Texas, Jonny Fairplay name dropped Velvet Sky, Helms’ former beau. Massaro immediately blurted out, “Fuck that bitch!” She then pretended that she said it by accident before laughing.

The two wrestling starlets have a history of bad blood as Velvet Sky stated during a June 2008 interview that the escort agency allegations surrounding Massaro at the time were “disgusting.” She said that people close to Massaro told her that they would not be surprised if the allegations were true. The TNA Knockout also didn’t believe the reports of Massaro being mistakenly identified (for a Las Vegas based bikini model, which was never confirmed).

Massaro stated earlier in the webcast that she has a show coming out this fall, but would not reveal details. She also mentioned appearing on the DivaMania Tour, which kicks off Saturday at Starters Riverport in Bethlehem, PA.

‘America’s Next Top Model’ contestant set for Tough Enough

Source: Prowrestling.net

Reality television star Michelle Deighton, 25, has been confirmed as a contestant on Tough Enough. She appeared a contestant on America’s Next Top Model in 2005 and is the wife of Survivor star Jonny Fairplay. Deighton is a trained wrestler who made an appearance on the November 11, 2005 episode of SmackDown!.

\While Fairplay declined to comment on the matter when reached, he alluded to his wife’s involvement with the show during a video posted on GeekWeek.com. The video features Fairplay, Deighton and Gregory Helms participating in a Ric Flair chop contest and the former TNA Wrestling personality says at one point that she is “tough enough.”

Sources within WWE have confirmed that Deighton is a contestant on the USA Network show.

New WWE vs. TNA Twitter ‘war’ erupts

Partial Source: Pwinsider

– WWE’s Joey Styles and TNA’s Bob Ryder have engaged in a bit of a Twitter war, after Styles mentioned the recent attendance at a TNA house show. Ryder and Styles co-owned a pro wrestling website back in the day. Here is the exchange they had…

* Joey Styles: “TNA in Poughkeepsie NY last night didn’t have Dreamer, Foley or Dudleys …and didn’t have sell out either. The local Indy sells out there.”

* Bob Ryder: “Can’t figure out why @JoeyStyles takes cheap shots at TNA. Especially given how often he has said he would like to work there.”

* Joey Styles: “To clarify, I’m not criticizing TNA for not selling out but rather the TNA employee that didn’t book past ECW wrestlers in NY so they did.”

* Bob Ryder: “Glad to hear @JoeyStyles has all the answers to how to sell out buildings. WWE live event business is down. They could use his help.”

* Joey Styles: “Here’s news much more important than my TNA musings; UFC bought Strikeforce! That is the MMA equivalent of WWE buying TNA.”

Did Sting recently negotiate with WWE?

Partial Source: The Pro Wrestling Torch

Multiple TNA sources indicate there were no real discussions between Steve “Sting” Borden and WWE. Any talk of Sting being tied to the ’2-21-11′ vignettes were false, although some within TNA insist company president Dixie Carter was convinced that was case until ‘Taker’s face was shown. Others within the company say Sting and Dixie had been in talks for weeks negotiating a new contract and Dixie knew that Sting wasn’t the type of guy who would “screw her over and jump ship to WWE”.

People within TNA were predicting that Sting wouldn’t join WWE due to the comfort level he has with the Nashville based organization and wrestlers he counts on to carry him in the ring. There is also some heat between Sting and Vince McMahon from years ago. WWE has sent ‘feelers’ Sting’s way numerous times throughout the years and he has always turned them down. There is also no way that Sting would work a full-time WWE schedule including house shows as he’s considered a “family man” these days. He is willing to work the TNA schedule as it allows him to spend time at home with his wife and kids.

Brian Kendrick-The Price Is Right Video

Here is a video of Brian Kendrick on The Price is Right:

TNA Impact - 3/3/11 + Sting WWE

*Spoilers!* Here is a video from the end of TNA iMPACT! this week. This is an obvious shot at WWE basically telling them – “F- off, we’ve re-signed Sting”. WWE has contacted Sting several times over the last few years but he always turns them down due to his family and the WWE schedule. Sting has also never been a big fan of Vince McMahon due to some heat from years ago.

SD! Security revealed, ex-WWE talents free to join TNA

– Independent talents Joey Ryan and Orion were used as fake security Friday night on SmackDown!.

– Former WWE stars Jillian Hall, Tiffany, Shad Gaspard, Vance Archer, Luke Gallows and Caylen Croft are now free to join TNA Wrestling as their respective ninety-day no-compete clauses with World Wrestling Entertainment expired late last week. All six were released on November 19, 2010. The clause prohibits dismissed talent from appearing for wrestling promotions with national television outlets for ninety days.