Huge TNA-ECW News Recap Part 3 - Tons Of Backstage News!

Partial Source: Pwinsider.com

NOTE: This is a recap of all the TNA-ECW-Hardcore Justice news that we have posted over the past week. This news is ALL re-posted for those who may have missed some of it:

– It has been confirmed that the main event of next month's Hard Justice will feature TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn. It is unknown at this time whether the title will be on the line.

– There is no truth to the rumored Sandman, Dreamer and New Jack vs. Rhino, Richards and Raven match that has been reported on. We never reported that here.

– Bob Ryder posted the following about the Hardcore Justice VIP weekend on his Twitter. The VIP package is the only way to guarantee a seat for the PPV. The Hard Justice VIP weekend just got a lot more interesting! Look for a Hardcore Reunion at the Saturday night party! So far, fans from the UK, Australia, MA, DE, MD, MS, TX, CA, MI, NC, NY, KY, PA, VA, ME, and FL have signed up for HardCORE Justice VIP wknd

– TNA Wrestling's Before the Bell preview of Hardcore Justice has been posted online. The 15-minute video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmBCe690DPk

– TNA has opened up a website for its August PPV Hardcore Justice, at HardcoreJustice.com. So far the site has Tommy Dreamer, Rhino, Mick Foley, Al Snow, Raven, Stevie Richards and Simon Diamond as appearing.

– Lance Storm, who has been highly critical of TNA Wrestling's creative process in recent years, posted a blog on his official website saying he declined their offer to appear at next month's Hardcore Justice pay-per-view event. Here is his full statement: I was hoping to write a bigger article about the TNA: ECW Themed PPV, because I am getting bombarded with questions, but I've got a very busy schedule for the next week, so I'll just address this here and now. I was asked if I would be interested in taking part in the TNA: One Last Stand PPV. I think it was big of them to extend me the offer, considering my general opinion of the TNA product, and want to I thank them for that, but I will not be taking part. I feel it would be hypocritical of me to work the show, considering my out outspoken views of the TNA product. I have a great deal of respect for the boys who will be working the show as well as the great workers on the TNA roster, but I have no desire to be a part of the TNA creative process. As for ECW, One Night Stand in 2005 was my farewell and am content in letting sleeping dogs lie. Lance Storm

– Former ECW performer Michael Depoli (a/k/a Amish Roadkill) has reportedly declined TNA Wrestling's offer to appear at next month's Hard Justice pay-per-view event. His reason for declining their offer is that he considers himself retired from professional wrestling and simply has no interest in returning.

– While Tommy Dreamer has been contacting ECW alumni to work Hard Justice, Director of Talent Relations Terry Taylor has handled the financial negotiations. The rumored payoff for non-contracted performers is said to range from $500 to $1,000.

– TNA officials have discussed the possibility of holding select house show events featuring former ECW talent in markets where the defunct promotion was most popular. The feeling amongst those pushing for it is that the ECW alumni will work cheap, thus resulting in a profitable venture for the company. However, it doesn't appear that officials have mentioned the venture to those contacted for Hard Justice. It should be noted though that both Tommy Dreamer and Terry Taylor have asked ECW talents who have been contacted what their work schedules are like following the PPV. Tommy Dreamer is said to be the lead-man behind everything ECW in TNA these days. We'll keep you posted as we get more but please take this only as a RUMOR right now.

– TNA sent out the following press release today?. TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION (TNA) WRESTLING ANNOUNCES SPECIAL 'HARDCORE JUSTICE' PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT LIVE AUGUST 8 Nashville, Tennessee (July 23, 2010) – Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling President Dixie Carter and "The Extreme Original" Tommy Dreamer announced today that "Hard Justice," TNA's live pay-per-view event August 8 at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, will transform to "HardCORE Justice," a one-night-only celebration of extreme, hardcore wrestling featuring a never before seen reunion of legendary wrestling superstars. Carter granted the request made by Dreamer and his band of hardcore originals – Mick Foley, Raven, "The War Machine" Rhino and Stevie Richards ? on last night's "TNA Thursday Night iMPACT!" on Spike TV (9p.m. ET/PT) to have "one last chance" to celebrate the history and the passion of extreme hardcore wrestling. "Giving Tommy this chance is one of the easiest decisions I've ever made as TNA President," Carter said. "For years I've heard fans talk about the similarities between TNA and what these guys accomplished. Tommy, Mick and these superstars sacrificed everything, and not for money, but for the love of our sport and for the fans.." Carter continued, "These guys set the bar so high with the passion they brought to this business. I've been lucky to have had so many work for me through the years, and now to have a locker room today with that same fire and drive to help build TNA. This is my chance to show our appreciation." "Dixie has allowed us to have a chance to finally thank the fans that have supported us for all of these years," Dreamer said. "In the past, we've been lied to and we've been punished for being who we were and building what we did. Now we have a chance to get everyone back together for one last night." Carter also announced today that Dreamer would be given full creative control of "HardCORE Justice." In addition to the hardcore originals, Dreamer revealed a few more names for "HardCORE Justice,": Current TNA agents Al Snow and Simon Diamond, as well as tag team legends Team 3D and current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam. Dreamer confirmed that Van Dam will compete at the pay-per-view event, but will not defend his title. "TNA is the only place that this event could happen," Dreamer said. "There are no politics to worry about and no restrictions in place. The fans know that I have a lot of extremely close friends, so they can expect anything and everything to happen. I have some surprises for everyone," he said. TNA officials have also announced a newly revised "HardCORE Justice VIP Weekend." Originally created to celebrate Mick Foley's 25th anniversary in professional wrestling, the VIP event will now feature a special "hardcore reunion" with Foley, Dreamer, Richards, Rhino and many more hardcore wrestlers on Saturday August 7 at the NASCAR Grill at Universal Studios' City Walk. In addition, the VIP package includes guaranteed VIP early admission into "HardCORE Justice" as well as both tapings of "iMPACT!" on August 8-9, as well as a private post-show Q&A session with Foley, Dreamer and friends on August 8. The "HardCORE Justice VIP Weekend" retails for $99, and is the only way for fans to guarantee admission to the "iMPACT Zone!" for "HardCORE Justice." Tickets can be purchased at www.ShopTNA.com. Dreamer, who stated that more names and matches would be announced in the coming weeks on "TNA Thursday Night iMPACT!," said that "HardCORE Justice" would be "The Last Stand" for the legacy of Hardcore wrestling. "This is it for an event like this, and it's the perfect send off we never thought we'd receive. It's funny, because there had never been a wrestling company that the fans would chant for by name since our time? until TNA began." For more information on TNA's "HardCORE Justice," live event, visit www.tnawrestling.com. To purchase tickets and for more information on TNA's "HardCORE Justice" VIP Weekend, visit www.ShopTNA.com. About TNA Wrestling Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling is the world's most innovative experience in professional wrestling. Join Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, Sting, the lovely and lethal TNA Knockouts and the no-limits X-Division for "TNA iMPACT!" every Thursday night at 9:00 pm ET/PT on Spike TV. TNA Entertainment, LLC is a privately held company headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

– Here is the TNA Hardcore Justice commercial. The commercial features footage of The Sandman, Sabu and Jerry Lynn, pretty much confirming them for the show?

– Here is a video of Tommy Dreamer's iMPACT! promo: