TNA Impact Rating, Aries Deletes Tweet, TNA Attendance, AAO Buys, More

- TNA President Dixie Carter congratulated Ring of Honor on their 10 year anniversary via Twitter:

"Happy 10th Anniversary @RingOfHonor!! Best wishes to you for continued success."

- TNA X Division Champion Austin Aries took a shot at the company and Sting's recent cryptic tweet with the following message that has since been deleted:

"I guess 'I'm done' is code for 'I'm booking myself in another PPV main event'. Yet the X-Division champ can't sniff a main event... #Shocker"

- The TNA live event on February 17th in Huntington, West Virginia drew 1,100 fans while the February 18th show in Beckley, WV actually drew 2,100 fans in an update from earlier.

- Early trends for the TNA Against All Odds pay-per-view have the show doing around 7,000 buys.

- The February 23rd episode of TNA Impact Wrestling scored a 1.19 cable rating, up from last week's 1.06 rating. This week's show averaged 1.58 million viewers.

- While Vince Russo had his supporters among the TNA wrestlers, it's said there was no great depression over his departure but nobody was celebrating either. The feeling is that it's business as usual when it comes to creative even though Russo has left.

The Rock Confirmed To Wrestle Next Year, John Cena Appears On SPEED TV

-- John Cena was interviewed by SPEED TV and talked about waving the green flag at today's Daytona 500, the race field and facing Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania XXVIII.

-- Former WWE Superstar John Morrison has been announced to appear at the Chicago Comic Con taking place August 9-12, 2012 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. WWE Champion CM Punk and former WWE Diva Maryse will also be appearing at the event.

-- During WWE's press conference to announce that WrestleMania XXIX would be held in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, April 7, 2013, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson vowed to appear at the event and "electrify MetLife Stadium like never before."

Sources within WWE have confirmed to the Pro Wrestling Torch that Johnson will be competing at the event.

Dolph Ziggler Says He's A Main Eventer, Natalya Did Glam Slam Before Beth, More

-- Natalya has published a blog on her official website revealing how she performed Beth Phoenix's Glam Slam finishing maneuver in Japan before she knew her "Pin-up Strong" mate.

"I'll never forget my first finishing move. Believe it or not- it wasn’t always the Sharpshooter! It was something I named: Nattie By Nature. It is only fitting that this move is what we all now know as The Glam Slam!" she writes. "And that brings me to the Glamazon! In 2005 (Japan) I had never met Beth Phoenix nor did I know of her. Somehow, in other parts of the world, we were sharing the same passion and looking like twins doing it!"

-- Blue World Order (Blue Meanie, Nova and Stevie Richards) has been announced for Legends of the Ring 14 taking place June 2, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Monroe, New Jersey.

-- Dolph Ziggler was asked during an interview for the latest issue of WWE Magazine if he is a main eventer. He says he is.

"I know a lot of people don't see it as I do, but in my head, I am a main eventer simply because of the fact that I did a helluva job reinventing the U.S. Championship from a title people held for a little while to becoming the stepping stone it once was. I made it prestigious again. I made people who liked me or hated me think, "This is the next guy." Now it's time to prove myself yet again," Ziggler says.

"I cannot wait to go out there against the likes of CM Punk, whose T-shirt says he is the "Best in the World." It's hard to prove myself as a main eventer, as a star, without the merch and T-shirts, but I'm fine with that. It's just another obstacle that pushes me to the top."

The Rock Says Many Wrestlers Don't Understand The "Business"

Online reports have indicated that there are a number of disgruntled wrestlers within the WWE locker room upset with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stealing the spotlight at WrestleMania XXVIII since he is not a full-time performer. Former WWE talent Shane Helms (a/k/a The Hurricane) added his two cents on the matter via Twitter and said those people should quit complaining.

"FTR, anybody in the WWE locker room that is bitching about The Rock's involvement in WrestleMania needs to stop being a douche! He's earned it!" the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion wrote Friday. "WrestleMania has always had celebrity involvement and if the the celebrity this year happens to actually be a GREAT pro wrestler, it's a win!!"

Fellow former WWE star Lance Storm, who earlier said Johnson's detractors should "shut up," added, "If the dude will draw more money, he deserves the spot. Absolutely. And he WILL draw more money, end of story."

Johnson caught wind of their statements Saturday morning. He wrote to them: "Incredible to me how many of the boys don't get the "business" part of our business."

WWE Star Welcoming Child, Mysterio Hoping for MITB, Maria Video, The Miz

- Below is the latest Prodigy Service Announcement with ROH wrestler Mike Bennett and his girlfriend Maria Kanellis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wP4SQpUpBxU#t=0s

- WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. and his wife are expecting their first child on May 30th.

- The Will Ferrell comedy featuring an appearance by WWE Superstar The Miz has been re-named to The Campaign. It will be released on August 10th.

- Rey Mysterio spoke with WDFN Radio in Detroit and said his main goal right now is to make it back in the ring by WrestleMania 28. Mysterio added that he would like to be in the Money in the Bank match, if there is one, and said he's up for a match against Sin Cara if his knee is ready and if he can move the way he usually does.

TNA Teases World Heavyweight Title Match for Thursday's Impact Wrestling

 While it hasn't been officially announced by TNA yet, the following video preview for Thursday's episode of Impact Wrestling suggests that World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode will defend his title against Jeff Hardy. This week's show tapes tonight in Orlando.

Knockouts Battle Royal and More Announced for Thursday's Impact Wrestling

TNA has announced the following for Thursday's episode of Impact Wrestling. This show will be taped later tonight at the Impact Zone in Orlando.

- At Sunday's Pay-Per-View event, Bobby Roode beat the odds and retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Jeff Hardy, James Storm and Bully Ray. Now, the road begins to March's "Victory Road" for the World Champ. The question is, what does GM "The Icon" Sting have to say about how Roode won on Sunday - and what does he has planned for Roode at Victory Road?

- On Sunday at "Against All Odds", Gail Kim successfully defended the Knockouts Title against Tara! On Thursday's IMPACT on SpikeTV, a new #1 Contender will be determined in a 10-Knockout Battle Royal! The winner of the Battle Royal will get the next shot at the Knockouts gold. The participants are: Sarita, Rosita, Brooke Tessmacher, Winter, Tara, ODB, Mickie James, Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne and Angelina Love!

- Plus, what was the fallout from the Bischoff family feud at Against All Odds? Did Garett (with Hulk Hogan in his corner) overcome the assault from Gunner and his own father, Eric Bischoff? Tune in Thursday night!

Latest News on Jesse Sorensen's Injury, Russo Not Backstage at Impact Tapings

- Jesse Sorensen actually suffered a broken C-1 vertebrae at TNA's Against All Odds pay-per-view. This is the top vertebrae of the spine that connects the spine to the skull.

Sorensen had lost feeling in his extremities last night and is still hospitalized but able to move his arms and has feeling in them. Earlier this afternoon, Sorensen was able to feel a tingling sensation in his legs but could not move them yet.

- New York Giant Brandon Jacobs is already backstage for tonight's Impact Wrestling tapings in Orlando. One name that is not there is Vince Russo.

Taz Comments on Missing AAO, Sorensen Update, NY Giant Set for Impact Tapings

- New York Giants football player Brandon Jacobs will be replacing teammate Jason Pierre-Paul at tonight's TNA Impact Wrestling tapings. Jacobs is expected to do an angle with Kurt Angle.

- Jesse Sorensen spent last night in a Florida Intensive Care Unit.

- As noted before, Taz missed Against All Odds because of a death in the family. He wrote on Twitter:

"My wifes brother passed on Sat' night, great man. I wouldve NEVER had a career if it wasn't for him. Gave me the $ to go to wrestling school when I had nothing. RIP Joe."

Shawn Michaels To Deliver A Message To Triple H Tonight, WWE Debuts In U.A.E

-- Shawn Michaels returns to Raw tonight as a guest of Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis, and according to "Mr. Excitement" via WWE.com, the WWE Hall of Famer is coming with a message for Triple H.

WWE.com states in an article: "Although the WWE Universe remains in the dark as far as what Michaels will tell The Game, the timing of his arrival is conspicuous, coming as Triple H wards off The Undertaker’s challenge for a WrestleMania rematch. Given the volumes of history shared by these three Superstars, it would make sense for The Showstopper’s words of advice to pertain to his friend's involvement with The Phenom, and his legendary WrestleMania Streak."

-- GulfNews.com has published an article on WWE's debut at the United Arab Emirates last week. The company plans to tour the country once per year going forward.

-- The February 21 WWE SuperSmackDown Live special will air live in Canada on The Score at 8:00 p.m.

Nash Removed From Raw Roster - Comments On His Future, Argues With Fans

WWE.com removed Kevin Nash's profile from the Raw roster page and placed it in the Alumni section.

Nash has not appeared for WWE since losing to Triple H in a Ladder Match at the December pay-per-view TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs. He succumbed to The Game after taking a sledgehammer shot to the face. The legendary grappler went on Twitter to comment on his immediate future.

"Punk, Cena got Raw covered. While I have my couch covered. My 15 year old so needs a Dad way more than RAW needs big sexy," he tweeted late Sunday night.

Nash added that he is doing things on his terms and that he has not retired from professional wrestling. He later became agitated when a Twitter user said he could return to "second rate" wrestling organization TNA since he's "past it now."

Nash responded, "Don't remember working you, past what? Oh shit sorry you think it's real...yeah my fastball lost a little zip you fuckin MARK."

He then wrote the following to another Twitter user who said "Triple Sucks" will lose to The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVIII and thus retire forever.

"YOU do know this shit is FAKE right? HHH could beat him if he was the person you think. Paul will do whats right."

The Miz Talks About WWE's Young Talent, Latest Backstage Fallout Video

- WWE's new YouTube channel has released the latest "Backstage Fallout" video featuring backstage footage from Monday's RAW. This edition focuses on Daniel Bryan and A.J. following Bryan's Raw match with Big Show, David Otunga talking about his match with Sheamus Tamina talking about winning the eight-Diva tag match for her team.



- WWE star The Miz recently spoke to SkySports.com and had this to say about WWE's young talent:

"I thought Alex Riley would be very impressive but then he left my side and all my coaching went out the window. He's gone his own way now and where has that got him? On Superstars every week! I think Brodus Clay could be very good. He is entertaining and he is a huge guy but he has a long way to go to be taken seriously. And while I don't consider Dolph Ziggler new, he is fresh to the main-event scene and I think he is doing an incredible job. "

This Week's WWE RAW Ratings, Latest News on WrestleMania 29, Kofi Kingston

- WWE has released a new Kofi Kingston t-shirt, which could be a sign that his Air Boom tag team with Evan Bourne is over.

- The February 4th episode of WWE's AM RAW scored a 0.59 cable rating with 723,000 viewers.

- The February 6th episode of WWE's RAW Supershow scored a 3.3 cable rating with 4,619,000 viewers. Hour 1 did a 3.34 rating while hour 2 did a 3.17 rating. RAW lost 362,000 viewers from hour 1 to hour 2 this week.

- Word going around is that the official announcement regarding WrestleMania 29 will be made within the next two weeks. Talk is that Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey is the frontrunner with Axxess and other events being held in New York City.

Madusa Continues Taunting Beth Phoenix, Says She Will Take Her Divas Title

Madusa revealed last week that she remains in possession of the WWF Women's Championship she unceremoniously trashed during a 1995 episode of WCW Monday Nitro and that she'd like to defend it against Beth Phoenix. The legendary women's wrestler tweeted an image of herself wearing the belt with a challenge to Phoenix reading "Are u woman enough?"

Madusa has continued taunting the WWE Divas Champion via Twitter. She wrote again to "The Glamazon," "You will be the only one with mud on your face... And everyone laughing!"

Phoenix responded, "Bring the hate. It fuels me. #divaschampionforever."

Madusa than vowed to take her Divas Championship.

She wrote, "No hate...only love when I stomp that ass and take the diva title too! Let the schooling begin!"

Sting Says He Almost Joined WWE Last Year, Wants To Face The Undertaker

Sting appeared on 97.9/105.5 KISS-FM on Thursday to promote Impact Wrestling at Wembley Arena. Highlights from the interview are as follows:

Which wrestler he'd like to face that he hasn't yet: "I'd have to say the top one... Undertaker. I think wrestling fans have wanted to see Sting vs. Undertaker for years. I think between his gimmick and mine, it could be pretty cool. We could do some pretty cool stuff."

If he has any regrets over not joining WWE: "Yes and no. Who wouldn't want to say that they've done at least one WrestleMania? I'm not going to lie to you, I wish I had done one of those. I've had great conversations with him [Vince McMahon] over the years and been real close on three or four different occasions. There was always a need met or desire of mine met with WCW or with TNA, so I stayed."

When was the last time he almost joined WWE: "Last year... we were very, very close."

The audio interview is available here.

TNA Impact Wrestling and Ring Ka King Ratings, Crimson in Music Video

- TNA star Crimson appears in the following music video for Jared Blake:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=z7RmMsfGJY8

- The February 2nd episode of TNA Impact Wrestling scored a 1.15 cable rating with 1,613,000 viewers.

- The January 28th debut of TNA's Ring Ka King on Colors scored a 2.2 cable rating with a 2.9 rating for the overrun. The Colors Network and Ring Ka King producer Endemol were thrilled with these numbers. The 11pm replay scored a 1.1 rating.