Loads Of News: Angle Bashes TNA, Styles, Chris Harris, Hebner/Bret, More
In an interview with SLAM Wrestling, Kurt Angle was critical of TNA going overboard on the number of gimmick matches the company holds. "I believe pay-per-view matches should be straight up, one-on-one," Angle said. "One on one, or tag on tag, nobody else involved, no run-ins, no gimmicks. I feel TNA sometimes thinks we're being innovative by having matches that are gimmicks." Angle then gives examples. "Like on one pay-per-view, we had a cage match with weapons, and a Last Man Standing match, and a New Jersey Street Fight. We don't need to have gimmick matches. We have the talent to have great wrestling matches. That's why we are different than WWE. We have amazing wrestlers that can put on incredible matches." Angle believes TNA will one day be on the same level as WWE. "But within four to six years, we will be comparable to them as far as ratings. As far as value of the company, we're getting there. If, God forbid, Jeff and Mrs. Carter wanted to sell the company right now, it's worth a lot of money. I think eventually the company will be almost every bit as valuable as WWE." Angle also talks about differences between WWE & TNA, TNA's growth, and more.
AJ Styles is on the cover of the latest issue of The Wrestler.
Here is news on former TNA star Chris Harris's next indy appearance. Devin Cutting sent in the following... "Wildcat" Chris Harris (aka Braden Walker) will be appearing at the Northern Wrestling Federation event in Fort Wright, Kentucky on November 8th, 2008. Go to https://www.nwfwrestling.com for info about the NWF.
New TNA star (has not yet debuted) Akira Raijin's injuries are said to be serious and some are fearing that he suffered a Subdural hematoma – a form of traumatic brain injury. Raijin did regain consciousness backstage. It was announced a few weeks ago that Raijin had signed a two-year deal with TNA
TNA referee Earl Hebner doesn't seem to mind getting "You Screwed Bret" taunts from fans anymore. "I used to hate it, but now I love it because it keeps me alive," Hebner told SLAM! Wrestling. "Name a football referee. Name a baseball umpire. Now name a wrestling ref. If you ask anybody who watches our business, my name will come up. That's just the way the business is."
Booker T, Sharmell and Sheik Abdul Bashir are all from the Texas area and the three may have had trouble getting to Canada due to the situation with Hurricane Ike as a number of flights were canceled. Hernandez is from the Texas area and flew to Canada a day early for last night's TNA house show.