Backstage Update On When Kurt Angle Signed His New Contract With TNA Wrestling - Details

Partial Source: Pwinsider

UPDATE: Earlier today, TNA announced that Kurt Angle had re-signed with the company (see below).

According to a source, Kurt Angle and TNA agreed to a new deal two weeks ago. It had been previously reported that Angle was remaining with the company, but there was no deal in place at that time as the two sides simply had a verbal agreement in place. During this time, Vince Russo stated on his podcast that Angle had signed a new deal with TNA, but at that point, negotiations had not been completed and the ink had not yet been put on paper.

ORIGINAL: TNA sent out the following today, announcing that Kurt Angle has official re-signed with the company…

Kurt Angle Re-signs With TNA Wrestling!

 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 30, 2014) – TNA today announced Olympic Gold Medalist and TNA Hall-of-Fame member Kurt Angle has signed a new contract to remain an active TNA roster member. Kurt can be seen on IMPACT WRESTLING’s new home, Destination America, during a special LIVE event from New York City on Wednesday January 7 at 9/8c.

“Kurt Angle’s arrival nearly a decade ago put TNA on the map. Now Kurt leads a fresh, young IMPACT WRESTLING locker room into a whole new era on Destination America,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “Once Kurt steps inside those ropes there is no greater talent in professional wrestling.”

 “I’m extremely excited to remain with TNA Wrestling,” said Angle. “The driving force behind my signing is the honesty, great communication and positive changes being made by Dixie Carter and John Gaburick. Things are moving upward and forward at TNA, and 2015 will be a great one for all of us at IMPACT WRESTLING.”

For more information on Kurt Angle and other talent signings visit impactwrestling.com, and follow IMPACT WRESTLING on twitter @IMPACTWRESTLING and TNA President Dixie Carter @TNADixie.

 IMPACT WRESTLING premieres in its permanent time slot on Fridays from 9-11 PM ET beginning January 16 on Destination America. And, IMPACT WRESTLING: UNLOCKED with Mike Tenay premieres in its permanent time slot on Saturdays from 10 AM-Noon ET beginning January 17, immediately followed by TNA GREATEST MATCHES from Noon-1 PM ET.

Dean Ambrose Explains Why His Storyline Angle With Mick Foley Was Nixed - Details Inside Here

Birthdate: 12/07/1985 (age 29) Height: 6'4" Weight: 225 Ib Jonathan Good debuted as Jon Moxley in June 200...

Dean Ambrose, during his appearance on the Talk is Jericho podcast, discussed his brief online feud with Mick Foley that occurred while he was an FCW talent. Ambrose said that the storyline, which started via various brief encounters outside of WWE events, was scrapped because Foley couldn’t get cleared medically to compete.

“It was going to be a real thing,” said Ambrose. “That was the start of it. It was my idea, something that I pitched. I’m of the generation who watched Mick Foley fall off stuff, and on the indies people are falling off ladders and getting hurt. I did a lot of hardcore stuff before I got here [the WWE]…The dirt sheets starting biting on it. I went up to [Foley] while he was signing autographs, people were filming on their phones and had no idea who I was.”

He added that in terms of it never reaching fruition, “I was pretty bummed, I thought that was the one perfect moment. But it gave me buzz.”

Kurt Angle Reveals His Future In The Wrestling Business - Confirms He's Staying With TNA, More

Kurt Angle recently appeared on Vince Russo’s podcast, The Swerve, yesterday (Dec. 2). The pre- and post-interviews were archived on YouTube, and you can listen to them and check out some highlights below. The 90-minute bonus interview is available in the VIP section at Pyroandballyhoo.com.

In addition, Russo said that Kurt Angle direct messaged him on Twitter to allow him to announce that Angle plans on returning to TNA.

Also read: ?Kurt Angle Discusses His Retirement Plans, His Phone Call With Vince McMahon, TNA's Future

Angle’s response to a Russo story about Hogan not showing up until much later to reject Sting and Angle’s plans for a match they had been working all week: “I don’t have much to say about that day. I love Terry. I love Hulk. I think he was trying to help. Sting and I know where we want to go. If Sting and I are going to put out a five star match that everyone expected us to, I don’t think Hogan needed to say anything. I know the company put him in charge. The company put him in charge. I can’t blame Hogan for that. I think Hogan should have said ‘What do you want to do’. He didn’t, but I love Hogan. I don’t have anything bad to say about him.”

Angle on what he is looking for in a wrestling company at the moment: “Most importantly: the right interests. At this point in my career, I can’t really do a full-time schedule. I need to look at how they want to take care of me, what they want to do with me, what’s important to them should be important to me and everything I do has meaning. Most important is the invested interest. Secondly, making sure I keep my life straight and that I spend time with my family. Thirdly is basically financial situation. It’s not that I’m in dire need of money. Thank god I made a lot in this business. At the same time, the amount of money speaks volumes with what they want to do with you and how they want to utilize you. is the money important for a financial standpoint? No. Is it important on how important you are to the company? Yes. I want to make sure it’s a best suit for me.”

Angle’s thoughts on Dixie Carter: “I think Dixie makes decisions, but I think it takes her a while to be an expert in the business. She’s been in entertainment for a long time but not necessary wrestling. She may not know the business as well as the people she brings in. She has a big heart; perhaps too big. The way she has treated me has been nothing short of incredible. She has made some mistakes with some things she has done, with people she hired and the direction they wanted to go. It’s definitely been a learning experience for her. I don’t know, Vince. You made a lot of good points.”

Angle’s thoughts on CM Punk, McMahon, and Carter: “Dixie has the motherly love. With Vince [McMahobn], he treated me like I was kind of a son. Whether he cared about me or not, he took care of me. I was the first one he called every New Year’s Eve. He was always there for me. I never had a problem with him. I listened to the CM Punk interview. I don’t know who’s telling the truth or not. I don’t know if CM Punk went over the top or not. I haven’t had that type of relationship with Vince that Punk did. Dixie is not Vince. Vince knows the business like anyone else. I don’t think anyone can be like Vince. Of course Vince will treat you better if you’re making him money. I always had a great experience with both of them. Dixie has always treated me good. I think she has sometimes put people in charge that hasn’t treated me well. I don’t think it was her fault. She’s the boss. With McMahon, you have to be a work horse to work in the WWE. Vince didn’t put me in that situation. I put myself in the situation. I put the responsibility on me for not speaking up for three years…”

Angle on the rumors of Triple H preventing him from making a WWE comeback: “I thought about it. I’ve never had a problem with Triple H. When I was there, he treated me well. We did business the right way. I’ve seen and heard rumors about that. When I talked to WWE, Vince and I buried the hatchet from years ago and we don’t have a problem with each other. I haven’t heard anything about Triple H saying and doing anything that blocked me. So, even though I don’t know for sure, from my experiences talking to WWE, I don’t think it’s a problem. I think a lot of it...

Nikki Bella Posts A New Photo, Responds To Her Critics & Teases A RAW Angle For Tonight

Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace Birthdate: 11/21/1983 (age 30) Height: 5'6" Weight: 131 Ib Nikki Bella has spent most of her career workin...

WWE Diva and Total Divas star Nikki Bella posted the following message on her Facebook page in response to her critics:

"I don't have to tell you how hard I have worked. I don't have to tell you the hours, sweat, blood and tears I have put into this. I don't have to tell you stories so you'll feel bad for me. My dream may have started later than yours but you can't take my dream away from me. You say bad things about me but in the end you don't really know me. I may not be your internet darling but what I am is Fearless. And being Fearless is what has gotten me to where I am today. 8 years of constantly being put down, I am still here. And that's because I am a Survivor."

Speaking of Nikki Bella, she posted the following on Twitter:

7 more days of #CinderBella I'll make sure this last week is hell 4 #BrieMode See #RAW 2 c what I'll b havin her do! pic.twitter.com/QgQlu8ieSv

— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) November 17, 2014

A Big FWE iPPV Event This Weekend, A Team Angle Reunion Confirmed & More

-- Jersey All Pro Wrestling is advertising Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin as part of a Team Angle reunion. Kurt Angle will be in their corner for the JAPW 18th Anniversary show on November 15 in Rahway, New Jersey. All three will be signing autographs. You can find more information here.

Also read: ?Charlie Haas Set To Come Out Of Retirement - Details Inside Here

-- Here is the updated card for tomorrow’s FWE free iPPV event…

* The Young Bucks vs. The Addiction (Daniels and Kazarian)
* Drew Galloway vs. Carlito Colon
* Tommy Dreamer and Ivelisse Velez vs .Joey Ryan and Candice LeRae
* Colt Cabana vs. Eric Young vs. Robbie E.
* The Adrenaline Express vs. Tony Nese and Jigsaw
* Wes Draven vs. Bandido Jr. vs. Sam Shields vs. Chris Sabin
* Chuck Taylor vs. Johnny Gargano
* Veda Scott vs. Hania
* Jorge Santi vs. Damien Darling
* Alex Reynolds vs. Orange Cassidy

More information available at this link.

VIDEO: Kurt Angle Discusses His Struggle With Addiction

Here is Kurt Angle's latest video in his #MyComeback series, talking about his ongoing recovery from addiction. The video features Angle heading to church with his family with the following voiceover:

"This afternoon, I'm going to an AA meeting. I go a couple times a week. It really helps me to stay in recovery from addiction. Going to these meetings not only helps myself, but helps others around me. And, I've grown stronger with my relationship with God, my family, my wife, and my kids. Going to these meetings and staying clean - I know that I'm going to break the cycle so that my kids don't have to go through this when they grow older. So, this is really important to me. Besides God himself, this is my #1 priority. To stay clean, to stay focused on my recovery and stay focused on my comeback."

Also read: Rob Feinstein Finally Addresses The Story About Him Chatting With An Underage Boy Online

Backstage News - Kurt Angle Leaving TNA?

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

At this time, there is a lot of speculation regarding Kurt Angle's future in TNA. Angle's contract expires before he will be physically able to return to the ring from his ACL injury.

Also read: We May Have Seen The End Of Kurt Angle In TNA

Also, TNA is not advertising Angle for the 2015 UK tour, due to his contract expiring in the fall. There are some within the company that feel Angle is "100% gone" when his TNA deal is complete.

Kurt Angle Continues To Tease A Return To WWE

Kurt Angle and MVP will team up to face Magnus and Ethan Carter III at the weekend TNA live events in Wisconsin.

Speaking of Kurt Angle, he'll face Ethan Cater III on next week's TNA iMPACT! broadcast. The BroMans vs. The Wolves in a Ladder Match is also confirmed for next week's iMPACT!. Knux's new stable - The Menagerie - will also debut.

............... and in more Kurt Angle news, he recently held an "#AskAngle" chat on his official Twitter account. During the Q&A session, a fan asked Angle if he were to return to WWE, who would he be most interested in wrestling first. Angle replied by saying "if?," as if it is an inevitability that he will be returning at some point in the future and then mentioned Daniel Bryan as the person he would like to work with the most. It should be noted that "if" Angle were to return to WWE, there is concern that he may not be able to pass a physical.

Anyways, you can check out the tweet from Angle below.

@ec310kp if? Daniel Bryan

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) May 2, 2014

Meet Kurt Angle, TNA Stars vs. The Easter Bunny/Santa Claus

-- There is reportedly some unhappiness in TNA over talents posing for photos with Jeff and Karen Jarrett at events because they were posted on the social media feeds for Global Force Wrestling.

-- Kurt Angle is set for an autograph signing today at Primo Collectibles in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Garden City Shopping Center from 1PM to 4PM. Tickets are $30 in advance and can be purchased here.

-- Below is a video of TNA wrestlers talking about who would win in a match between Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

Kurt Angle Jumping Ship To Jeff Jarretts Promo...

-- ShopTNA.com has released a new "Willow" t-shirt.-- Sting turned fifty-five years old on Thursday.-- As noted earlier here on the website, Jeff Jarrett's new wrestling promotion will reportedly start in January of 2015 and CMT will be their new home for cable TV. The CMT rumors come from Toby Keith, rumored to be part of the financial backing of the company, as he has close ties with the network.There are rumors in TNA that Kurt Angle could be the lead star of Jarrett's new promoti...

Big E. Speaks Out - Ziggler/AJ Angle, WrestleMa...

The following are highlights of a recent Boston Herald interview with WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E.On WWE's crop of rising talents: "We’re all pushing each other. It’s a great time for our business. There are a lot of guys waiting for a main spot on the roster – Cesaro, the Shield, the Wyatt Family, Fandango, Damien Sandow – the list goes on and on of talented guys who are hungry and ready to work hard every night. You’re always watching what they’re doing. When they have ...

Kurt Angle Set For Sharknado 2 + TNA iMPACT! ...

-- Kurt Angle has joined the cast of SyFy's Sharknado 2: The Next One. Angle was announced amidst a list of cameos that include Perez Hilton, Biz Markie, Salt-N-Pepa's Pepa and Robert Klein.Angle will play the FDNY fire chief in the film. Hey, it can't be worse than his starring role in End Game.-- Thursday night's episode of TNA iMPACT! Wrestling scored a 0.93 (1.0) cable rating with 1.164 million viewers.Those numbers are down 1% and up 6%, respectively, from a 0.94 and 1.1 million...

Kurt Angle Pulled From TNAs Lockdown Pay-Per-V...

Kurt Angle has announced that he will not be working TNA's Lockdown pay-per-view on Sunday. The storyline reason is that EC3 attacked him on iMPACT!, and now he needs surgery. The truth is that he's already had the surgery scheduled for after TNA's European tour. It was set before the tour but pushed back so Angle could work through it. It's believed that he will feud with EC3 when he returns.Angle wasn't advertised locally for Lockdown outside of TNA's storylines and he wasn't expected to d...

Why WWE Did The Fake John Cena Injury Angle

Partial Source: Pwinsider

UPDATE: The John Cena "injury" was scripted into the show, as well as the stretcher job. The stretcher used was actually put in place near the entrance ramp prior to the segment.

There was a fear that Cena did injure himself, due to his sell job, and while he may have tweaked the knee, it is nothing as serious that was played up on TV. The company pushed the medical update on the post game show as a way to drive attention towards the WWE Network.

ORIGINAL: In an update from last night, John Cena is not actually injured and was not taken to a medical facility last night. WWE played up the injury through out the show and post show, even showing footage where Cena said he heard the knee pop and the WWE doctor saying Cena was refusing an MRI. We'll have more on this shortly.

Backstage Update On Devitt/TNA, Angle In Rough ...

-- Kurt Angle is said to be in really bad physical condition. We noted earlier this week that Angle underwent knee surgery. Even though he claims his health is "fine" and he's still able to perform in the ring, he's barely able to move backstage and there was a photo last week showing him in a wheelchair. It was recently discovered that Angle has no ACL left in his knee. Chris Jericho had a similar issue several years ago and part of his ACL eventually grew back.

-- Prince Devitt attended a TNA live event in Dublin, Ireland last month. He met with TNA officials about possibly joining the company. He only met with them out of courtesy and has no intention of joining the promotion. If he left New Japan Pro Wrestling, it would only be for WWE, who has shown an interest but Devitt is "iffy" on if he'll go there. He's happy in Japan right now and pretty much knows what would happen to him if he went to WWE. Basically, he thinks he'd be put in a "jobber" role unless he got lucky with a push. That's normally what happens with indy/Japan guys .... at least at first.

-- Here are tonight's confirmed TNA iMPACT! matches:

* Bad Influence (Daniels and Kazarian) vs. The Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards)
* Handicap Match: Samoa Joe vs. DJ Zema Ion and the BroMans
* Non-Title Match: Madison Rayne © vs. Gail Kim
* TNA World Title Match: Magnus © vs. Gunner

The Big Show At Anti-Bullying Rally + NXT Angle...

-- WWE shot an angle at the NXT event in Largo, Florida last night in which Cody Rhodes came to the aid of his real-life wife Brandi (Eden Stiles). He hit the Cross Rhodes on Aiden English.-- The Big Show had an anti-bullying rally for 200 students in Mumbai, India earlier today.

Jim Ross Blogs - WWE HOF Rumors, Cesaro, Angle...

Jim Ross has updated the blog section of his official website. Here are highlights:On the WWE Hall of Fame: "Rumor mills are working OT regarding as to who will be the next inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. I think that it's cool that the HOF induction ceremony will air live, as I understand it, on the WWE Network. Hopefully the live audience will mind their manners and not feel compelled to display their defiance and disrupt the show for any reason. Cheering and classy displays of support...

The Big Show At Anti-Bullying Rally + NXT Angle...

-- WWE shot an angle at the NXT event in Largo, Florida last night in which Cody Rhodes came to the aid of his real-life wife Brandi (Eden Stiles). He hit the Cross Rhodes on Aiden English.-- The Big Show had an anti-bullying rally for 200 students in Mumbai, India earlier today.