Sting/TNA Retirement Storyline Plans, World X Cup Backstage News
Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter
TNA is planning for the possibility of Sting retiring when his current contract expires at the end of the year. Company officials want to give him a proper sendoff after watching what WWE did for Ric Flair. Although, Sting has not indicated whether he plans to retire from professional wrestling at the end of the year. At Slammiversary, the plan for Sting is to give an interview pondering his future in wrestling.
Based on some of the crowd's reactions at Sacrifice a few weeks ago, it was largely conceded that TNA needs to move the pay-per-views out of Orlando. Some feel that the crowd has seen so much that they need to take them on the road, but others say that that the Orlando fans still react when the product is good, not to mention that it's much more cost-effective. The crowd for Slammiversary in Memphis was 100x better.
Team International is being be led by former WWE star Daivari, who is confirmed for the tournament. He appeared on last Thursday's iMPACT!. Joining him will be Tyson Dux, Alex Koslov and Doug Williams. Williams was trying to get some visa issues sorted out, and it now looks as if all is well. Anyway, Team U.S. will feature Curry Man, Kaz, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley. Team Mexico will be Volador Jr., Ultimo Guerrero, Rey Bucanero, and Averno. There's a contingency in place between TNA and CMLL because Volador Jr. is a face and the other wrestlers are heels in Mexico. CMLL head Paco Alonso told Hector Guerrero that Volador Jr. can only work singles matches and no tag matches. And last but not least, Team Japan will feature Naruki Doi, Masato Yoshino, Taichi Ishikari and Milano Collection A.T. The tournament is set to take place over the next two sets of Impact tapings and will last through five weeks of television. TNA will be taping two shows on 6/24 due to five weeks between pay-per-views. The tournament will conclude at the Victory Road pay-per-view on 7/13 with apparently two gimmick matches and some sort of point system. Ultimate X anyone?