Tag Archives: Total Nonstop Action

King Mo makes his TNA debut this Thursday

As an all-star collegiate wrestler and multi-time amateur wrestling champion, Muhammaed Lawal‘s transition into mixed martial arts has proven to be a royal success. As a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, King Mo is simultaneously signed to Bellator Fighting Championships and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is currently training at Ohio Valley Wrestling. Making his Impact Wrestling debut on Spike this Thursday, it was announced last week that Mo would be the special guest enforcer in the match between “Cowboy” James Storm and Bobby Roode at Bound for Glory.

“I’m really not anticipating too much,” says Mo. “I’m just there to be the enforcer and make sure I enforce the rules like a good referee, straight down the middle. Bobby Roode tends to get out of line sometimes and I might have to check him. But I can’t play favorites right now. I’m going to go out there and just be neutral.”

Already known for theatrical ring entrances that include a crown, robe, throne and lovely ladies by his side, King Mo seems like a perfect fit for professional wrestling. But even with his fighting and wrestling background and penchant for showmanship, he’s still humble enough to admit that he’s not quite ready for his first pro wrestling match.

“I’ve still got a long way to go,” he says. “People think this is easy, but it’s as hard as MMA. In MMA, you get hit, but you can come back. This is a lot different. This is an art, it’s entertainment and it’s tough. I’m just waiting on them to tell me I’m ready. As far as my first match, I’m hoping it’s somebody I can pin real quick. You know, a scrub.”

All joking aside, however, Mo is clearly aware that neither Roode nor Storm could be considered a scrub. And as a special enforcer, he has the authority to utilize his fighting background to keep order at Bound for Glory. But when it does come time for him to step into the squared circle for competition, he knows it will be a serious matter.

“To me it’s all the same,” he says of his dual careers. “I treat it like it’s training camp and I’m here to learn and improve. That’s what I do in MMA: I’m there to learn and improve. When your body takes a beating and pounding, that’s part of the game … and I’m up for the challenge.”

www.impactwrestling.com

Samoa Joe looks to put a submission hold on the Bound for Glory Series

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Since joining Total Nonstop Action Wrestling seven years ago, Samoa Joe has typically been a man of few words, letting his in-ring dominance speak for itself. After a lackluster showing in last year’s Bound for Glory Series, Joe was able to rebound by shifting his focus to the tag team division earlier this year, where he and Magnus proved to be dominant World Tag Team Champions. After that title run ran its course, Joe began proving himself as a singles competitor once again, most recently with a much more successful showing in this year’s Bound for Glory Series. Depending on the outcome of his Impact Wrestling match tonight against Jeff Hardy, Joe could very well emerge as the points leader in the tournament, which would allow him to choose his opponent in the semifinals this Sunday at No Surrender, a pay-per-view where he has historically had great success. Perhaps more focused than ever, the “Samoan Submission Machine” takes a moment to talk to Wrestling with Pop Culture.

With this year’s Bound for Glory Series you took a different approach on your road to Bound for Glory. How has the way TNA has presented the tournament this year differed from last year?

I think the biggest difference in the tournament this year from last year is that it actually makes sense this year. I have to hand it to the tournament organizers, they’ve put together a hell of a tournament and kept the form and the function of the tournament very basic. Last year we had some ridiculous scenarios put together and kind of pushed different guys in the tournament, which led to me not really appreciating how things were being run and maybe overreacting a bit.

The tournament changes have been indicative of some other changes within TNA. How do you feel about the way the television show has been presented more recently?

I think going live and working live is a better atmosphere for television and delivers a better product. So that’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed that’s made an impact. The better athletes and professional wrestlers of the world thrive in a live environment.

You’ve had a clear resurgence in this year’s tournament over last year’s. What would you say you’ve done differently to get back to the top of the card, and what do you think you need to do to stay there?

If there’s anything I’ve done differently, I’ve made a little more noise than usual. The other thing is, whenever I’m presented with the opportunity to go out there and do the best I can do, I think I do that. So those are the major contributing factors to my turnaround in the Bound for Glory Series.

As mixed martial arts has grown in popularity in recent years, how has that affected the way wrestling is presented? Has it been a challenge to present an in-ring product that competes with MMA, or do you just try to put on the best wrestling show you can?

MMA has definitely changed the way pro wrestlers ply their craft and I’ve always been a big proponent of making those changes and trying to implement them in the realm of professional wrestling. Pro wrestling’s always going to have its strengths, so I think it’s just a really experimental time right now. The better pro wrestlers of the world will be able to adapt to that style in the wrestling world.

You’ve been with the company through its ups and downs. What’s kept you motivated during the times when maybe you’re not happy with the way you’re being used?

The thing that keeps me motivated regardless of what I go through is just maintaining the ability to go out there and perform in front of as many fans as possible. It gives me the opportunity to do what I love, which is pro wrestling. That’s always been my biggest motivating factor.

You’ve just recently returned to singles competition after forming a tag team with Magnus. How do you feel about the way he was able to evolve and improve after you took him under your wing and worked with him?

When it comes to Magnus, he’s a guy that hasn’t reached his potential, but is definitely just realizing what he can be. He’s becoming a very, very good professional wrestler and in the next few years people will be speaking of his work very, very highly. It’s been a very interesting evolution, to say the least.

Given the changes that have been occurring within TNA, as well as the differences between your performance in last year’s Bound for Glory tournament in comparison to this year, what are your thoughts in the way TNA has presented you over the years and how that evolution might play into your relationship with the company moving forward?

When it comes to me and TNA, I’ve never been afraid to try something or give something a shot. I’ve always kind of rolled with the opportunities I’ve been presented and they know I’ve never been afraid of doing that. At this point, they just have a more hands-off approach and let me go out there and do what I do best and I’m put in a position to showcase why people like to come and watch TNA Wrestling shows.

You’ve been part of every No Surrender pay-per-view since its inception, and you typically do very well at this event. Tonight’s match against Jeff Hardy obviously effects your place on the No Surrender card, but given your history at that event what is your mindset going into tonight’s Impact Wrestling and this Sunday’s pay-per-view?

I’m squarely focused on trying to get as big of an advantage and as close as I can to getting back the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. That’s my plan. If I go out there and beat Jeff Hardy, I’ve sealed it up, I’m number one, I get to pick my opponent and figure out how I’ll go into that championship match. That’s a huge advantage, so that’s what I’m really focused on right now is trying to get myself in the best position possible. I’ll do that any way I can.

Assuming you do defeat Hardy tonight and finish the tournament with the most points in the series, how might you go about choosing your opponent this Sunday?

That’s purely reactionary. I’m going to have to see what condition people are in when it comes time to make that decision. And I wouldn’t tell you anyway because, what’s the fun in that?

For more information, go to www.impactwrestling.com.

TNA X Division Champion Zema Ion readies for his next challenger

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To Zema Ion, image seems to be everything. His arrogance, talent and incessant spraying of his wildly-styled hair make it easy for fans to hate Ion each time he steps into a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ring. But his acrobatic style and willingness to take risks in order to win match make it a little easier for him to boast and gloat. Now that he’s the company’s X Division Champion, many fans watch not only in hopes of seeing him lose his title, but also to see what high-flying maneuver he’s going to pull off this time. Having proven his abilities in the United States, Japan and Mexico prior to joining the TNA roster last summer, the high-fying Filipino has successfully defended his title against fan favorite Kenny King and welcomes his next challenger. With three Impact Wrestling World Tour stops in Georgia this week, followed by the No Surrender pay-per-view on Sunday, Ion will have four more chances to prove his worth as champion. And to hear him talk, holding on to that title for several more months won’t be a problem at all. As he prepares for these matches, Ion talks to Wrestling with Pop Culture about his title, his hair and how Southern wrestling fans are likely to receive him.

Since winning the X Division Championship at Destination X back in July, you’ve successfully defended the title twice against Kenny King. With No Surrender this Sunday, do you know who your next challenger will be?

Word on the street is that my challenger is actually Sonjay Dutt. If he wants to show up in Georgia this weekend, I have no problem giving him a shot. I hear that he’s also my opponent on the pay-per-view this Sunday at No Surrender, so Sonjay Dutt is next in line and hopefully he doesn’t win it back from me.

TNA is running three shows in Georgia this week leading into Sunday’s pay-per-view. Will you be at all three of these shows?

Yes, sir. I will be in Dalton, Ga. tonight at the Dalton Trade Center, Atlanta Friday night at the Tabernacle and Saturday in Gainesville.

Prior to joining TNA, you’ve mostly wrestled in the Northeast, as well as Japan and Mexico. Those styles are very different from what Southern wrestling fans are used to. How do you think your style of wrestling might be received by these Southern audiences this weekend?

If the Southern crowds like some high-flying, lucha libre style wrestling, which I’m sure they probably do, then I think I’ll fit right in. Southern crowds? I already know what I’m getting when I go down there – they’re going to hate me. I mean, I’m effeminate, I have nice hair, I spray my hair every two minutes, I’m not exactly the most manly type of man in their eyes. I imagine I will not get a warm reception once I arrive, and that’s just fine because I wouldn’t have it any other way.

You still wrestle on the independent circuit as well, and have held a few titles prior to winning the X Division Championship. Do you currently hold any other titles in other promotions?

I currently do not hold any titles on the independent scene, but I’m sure sooner or later I’ll have a chance to regain one. Then I’ll be a champion in not just TNA, but in smaller promotions.

Before you won the X Division title, Austin Aries was on a mission to elevate the status of that title to the more meaningful place it once was. Now that you’re the champion, what are your plans with the title?

Well, I’ve already proven to be the prettiest X Division Champion there ever was and I’m on my way to being the most dangerous as well. I think those are two pretty good accolades to have as the X Division Champion. As far as other goals, Austin Aries currently has the record as the longest reigning X Division Champion of all time. So naturally I want to beat that record and I want to be the longest reigning X Division Champion ever. I’d say I’m well on my way. I think he had it somewhere near one year, so I’ve got at least seven more months to go.

You challenged Aries for the X Division title several times before he opted to go for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Destination X. Would you like to eventually parlay your X Division Championship into a World Championship the way he did?

Absolutely! That’s the great thing about being the X Division Champion is at Destination X next year, once again the X Division Champion will automatically receive a World Heavyweight title shot. So if I do make my goals come true and become the longest reigning X Division Champion, that should put me in line for a World title shot next July.

The same night you won your X Division title, Jesse Sorensen made his first on-camera appearance in TNA since suffering a spinal injury in February at Against All Odds. The implication was that you had intentionally injured him, and you didn’t exactly deny those accusations. I think a lot of people were surprised by that entire exchange since it previously seemed like the injury was an accident. What do you anticipate from Sorensen upon his return to the ring?

Well, I was a threat to Jesse Sorensen before he broke his neck and if he wants to actually seriously come back to professional wrestling after breaking his neck, then get back in the ring with me, be my guest. That’s on him, but I’ll be waiting for his return, that’s for sure.

For more information, go to www.impactwrestling.com.

Wrestling with Pop Culture has three pairs of tickets to this week’s Impact Wrestling World Tour stops in Georgia to give away. The first three people to comment below with the name of your favorite X Division Champion of all time and why will win a pair of tickets to the show of your choosing. Just specify if you’d like tickets to the Dalton, Atlanta or Gainesville show and your tickets will be at will call.

Brooke Tessmacher looks to justify her championship at Hardcore Justice

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Women wrestlers have always struggled to get the same attention as their male counterparts. And many would argue that the focus on “divas” with backgrounds in modeling and dancing has only further diminished the legitimacy of women in the ring. But since the inception of its Knockouts Championship almost five years ago, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling has consistently featured some of wrestling’s top female wrestlers in competitive matches rather than pillow fights and lingerie matches. As a result, it was a surprise to many when Brooke Tessmacher, a former Hooters Swimsuit Pageant competitor who broke into the wrestling world as a valet and dancer, defeated Gail Kim, one of the most accomplished female wrestlers of our time, to become the new Knockouts Champion two months ago at Slammiversary. For those who thought this victory was a fluke, Tessmacher has retained the title with impressive victories over Mickie James and, most recently, Kim on Impact Wrestling. Having clearly come a long way since her days as a swimsuit model, Tessmacher takes on former champion Madison Rayne this Sunday at Hardcore Justice (hopefully, for Tessmacher’s sake, Rayne‘s new love interest Earl Hebner won’t be the referee). As she prepares for her next challenge, Tessmacher discusses her beginnings, how she has improved and how she hopes to continue as TNA’s top female competitor.

You’ve obviously come a long way since you started your wrestling career six years ago, with most of your success coming very recently. What do you attribute this recent success to?

It’s been a long road and I have been really giving it everything I had over the past few months. When I first came into TNA and Impact as a secretary, it really wasn’t fulfilling. It wasn’t utilizing my talents for what I wanted to do, so I knew that in order to make an impact I had to quit everything else I was doing. I gave up a Hooters pageant to start training, I gave up another pageant and two other modeling gigs because I realized wrestling was the most important thing in my life. It being the most difficult sport I’ve ever been involved in, and the biggest challenge, I did have to give up a lot of things to do that.

As everyone knows, Tara did help me tremendously in the ring and out of the ring. Also, Booker’s school with Paul Cook in Houston has helped me a lot with one-on-one training. Without them, it wouldn’t have been possible. Being on the road with such talented knockouts as Mickie James, Gail Kim and Tara has allowed me to sit back and get a bird’s-eye view of how they perform, and that has really helped me step up my game. I’m constantly taking notes and to be there and see them yourself is the best way to climb up the ladder the quickest. I watched a lot of videos, a lot of tapes and spent a lot of man-hours. It’s been tough, but now I’m living my dream and it’s all paying off. It’s still very surreal to me.

How humbling or exciting is it to be the champion in one of the most stacked women’s divisions in wrestling?

I’ve had maybe 50, 60 matches now and for me to hold the championship and know that I’m the best at this time is very humbling. It’s a great feeling, it’s an exciting feeling, I wake up every day with the biggest smile on my face knowing I’m up there with these women and compared to these women like Mickie James, Tara and Gail Kim. I can only hope that I’ll have a career as long as them and that I’ll be able to hold this championship as long as them and, if I lose it, to get it back. I want to build my career just as they did. They’re amazing women and it’s crazy to be a part of it and compared to them.

With your improvement in the ring, do you think people are starting to take you more seriously as a wrestler as opposed to viewing you as a model in wrestling?

I do think they are taking me a little more seriously. I think I came in and really shocked people because I did improve a tremendous amount in a short period of time. And that was from all the work I put in. I think for a while I’l have to fight the stereotypical, “Oh, she’s just a model” thing. That’s fine. I’ll continue to keep improving and proving everyone wrong. But I think I’ve finally opened everyone’s eyes to say, “Oh, wow. This girl can work. She isn’t scared.” I’m a firecracker, so I can only go up.

How has your time in TNA compared to the work you did in WWE?

I look back and it’s a great company and it’s awesome to say I worked for them. But there really is hardly any comparison between the two when it comes to my career. I came out and did a sexy dance routine every week. It was fun, it was great, I made some good friends, but I’m an athlete and I wasn’t fulfilled doing a dance routine every week. Even though I wasn’t trained enough to have a full match, I would much rather have been training the whole time and getting ready for what I wanted to do rather than having to dance. At Impact Wrestling they’ve really believed in me and given me a chance. They opened the door for me and I just took and ran with it.

When you beat Gail Kim for the title, what was going through your mind before, during and after the match?

I remember sitting in the back before I walked out thinking, “OK, this is my one chance. I’m getting this right now. I have to be on my game now more than any other match.” And all of a sudden I just couldn’t breathe, the crowd was so loud and it just kind of took over me. I had been waiting for that moment for so long and I got so scared and freaked out. As soon as I entered the [ring], I just knew I wanted that championship more than anything. To win in your home state for the first time is indescribable. It was my moment to just take in everything that had just happened. My tears just started to flow as soon as I got backstage, it was just uncontrollable. I was just so happy and finally [realized], “Oh, my God. I did it! I did it! I cannot believe I did it! I just proved the whole wrestling world wrong.” No one took me seriously because I’m just a model, I’m inexperienced, especially getting in the ring with such a talented and tremendous athlete as Gail. It was a great feeling.

Do you feel more pressure now to retain the Knockouts Championship or was there more pressure for you trying to get to that level?

Of course there was a lot of pressure before because I was trying to prove everyone wrong about me being just a model that was trying to become an athlete, that I can do it, that I’m just as good and can hang in the ring. Now I do believe the pressure is a lot worse. Once you go up, all you can do is stay up and not fall down. So going out there every week to defend the championship is pretty difficult. With Gail Kim, Madison Rayne, Mickie James, it just takes one small mistake for it to be over, and that’s very difficult. When you’re as new as me, I still make rookie mistakes and I’m still learning. Thank God I have people like Tara and my trainers back at home to teach me these things because it only takes one wrong move to be done.

Since you won the championship, you’ve been on the road pretty much every weekend for TNA. How has working these house shows and live events helped you in terms of learning and growing as a performer in comparison to just doing TV in front of a live crowd?

My suggestion to everyone is to do as many live shows as you can because what they need the most is to get out there in front of people. It’s better to make mistakes when you’re not on live TV. You learn when you’re on the road, that’s how you get better and master your craft. When the title’s on the line, that’s not really the time to pull out new things and experiment. When you go on the road it gives you a chance to really master these things and try them out for the first time. It’s an awesome way to get out there and feel the crowd getting behind you. I love going on the road where people can see us who don’t normally get to see us. It’s awesome to get a new crowd out there and get new fans. So it’s great for experience, it’s great to help master your skills in the ring and it’s great to help calm you. I get so anxious, nervous, freaked out, excited and sweaty before I walk out and when you’re traveling on the road it teaches you to calm that, relax and really think about what matters and what you’re going to do in the ring and slow down.

Do you think it’s easier for women like yourself to make a career out of wrestling today or is it still an uphill battle as it has been in the past?

I don’t think it’s easier. When I got into the business, it was through the Diva Search. I don’t think they even have that anymore. I think it’s easier in the sense that women are getting looked at more, that we’re getting taken seriously. And we have Gut Check, which is an awesome way for people to come in and get recognized. But it’s still quite hard because you have to find your place to shine. We’re still proving ourselves every week, every month. It’s really just about putting yourself out there and finding where you can move forward.

As you’ve already mentioned, you got your start in wrestling through the Diva Search, then Extreme Exposé. You got your first big break in WWE around the same time that TNA introduced the Knockouts Championship. Even though you’ve defeated some of the top female talents to win and retain your title, you still have naysayers who only see you as a model and dancer. What more do you think you can do to win some of those people over and prove your worth as the Knockouts Champion?

It’s just me continuing what I’m doing at home, continuing the training, continuing watching these women every week and mastering what they’re doing and coming out there and doing my best. It will take time and I understand that. I understand that some people are like, “Oh, this is a joke. She doesn’t deserve it.” But in all reality, I do deserve to be where I am because I fought for this for a very long time. Some people don’t think I’m the best, but right now I am the best. I won fair and square. There was no cheating involved, there were no surprises and all I can do is come out each week and bring the fire that I bring and continue to win. And I will do that. I will not come out there and not bring everything I have each week. It’s going to take someone to kill me and lay me out before they take the championship from me. I will continue to prove everybody wrong each week, and I’m thrilled to do it. It gets me excited when I do hear that because I do want to prove everyone wrong. I’m a very competitive person by nature and you’re not going to be liked and believed in by everyone. One of my biggest priorities is to go out there and prove myself to everyone over time and prove that I do deserve it and can hang with these legends and be just as good.

We’ve seen former indie stars such as Austin Aries rise to the top of men’s wrestling in both TNA and WWE in recent months. Is there anyone in the indie scene that you’d like to see rise to the top in women’s wrestling?

I don’t really follow it too much, but I do follow the women that we have here and I’m very proud of the girls we have. Austin Aries is phenomenal and was kind of the underdog and look at him now. That’s a great story. I’m sure there are a lot of women out there and I would love to have them be part of our company and give everything that we give.

Many look at the feud between Gail Kim and Awesome Kong a few years ago as the pinnacle of contemporary women’s wrestling. Would you welcome a similarly hard-fought feud with someone like Kong?

I’ll never forget that. It was one of the best feuds in all of TNA’s history and in women’s wrestling in general. It’s something I don’t think anybody will ever forget and something you can never take away. I’ve watched tons of those videos to learn and grow myself.

She is killer, man. She’s strong, she’s tough and she is unlike anybody else we have right now. I’m up for any challenge and would never turn down any challenge. I know that would probably be one of the most difficult challenges I would have to face. I would definitely have to grow and get stronger and really learn her craft to be able to master it. I’d have to try and run circles around that girl because she is insanely powerful and I am very small. But I’d definitely welcome it, but I’m not saying it’s something that would be really exciting. It would be very scary for me because I am so new. But, yeah. I’d take her on.

When you are studying wrestling tapes to learn your craft, who do you find the most inspiration from? Is it just women wrestlers or do you find inspiration from men as well?

I watch both men and women. I watch a lot of Shawn Michaels and Trish Stratus. Trish came into the business as a model and was not taken seriously. To watch her grow and become one of the best female wrestlers today, hopefully I can be as great as that. Also, of course, Tara. I’ve watched a lot of her tapes and can only learn from the best. Mickie James, as well. But mostly Trish Stratus because we came in the same way. I can only hope my career can be as long and fulfilled as hers.

What’s your opinion of the direction TNA is heading and the role women’s wrestling might play in that development?

Now that we have one of the toughest and best [women’s] divisions out there – we’re shooting Impact live now, going to more countries – we’re only going to get better. As we have more time we’re just going to keep proving ourselves. I think we have made a huge impact in this company and in the wrestling world, and we’re only going to keep doing that.

For more information, go to www.impactwrestling.com.

“The Icon” Sting prepares for Slammiversary title match

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From his World Championship Wrestling debut as a blonde surfer with colorful face paint and tights in the ’80s to the mysterious Crow-like persona he adopted for most of the ’90s after the arrival of the NWO, Sting has earned his moniker as “The Icon.” As the only WCW Champion to never appear in WWE, Sting made his full-time debut for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2006 and has become one of the company’s main attractions. Sting‘s look and demeanor changed again – this time to “The Insane Icon,” an off-kilter character based on Heath Ledger’s take on the Joker – after Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff‘s takeover of TNA over the past couple of years. Having helped restore some order by defeating Hogan for control of the company at Bound for Glory last October, the four-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion has been absent from Impact Wrestling for the past two months. But he made his big return on May 31 by defeating current champion Bobby Roode in a non-title match. But when Sting faces Roode in the main event at Slammiversary this Sunday, it will be for the TNA Championship. As Sting prepares for his much younger opponent, Wrestling with Pop Culture gets to hear from him about his outlook on his career, TNA’s new format and other topics.

Outside of WCW, TNA has been the brand you’ve been most closely identified with. With TNA celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend with Slammiversary, how does the company compare today to its earlier days in Nashville where you made appearances? When did the moment come about that you decided to make TNA, as you’ve described it, your brand?

It probably came the second or third appearance I made with TNA. Spike was coming onboard and they were interested in my return to wrestling along with Dixie Carter, Jeff Jarrett and, at the time, his father Jerry. So it was just something that I said, “It’s now or never.” I didn’t like the way wrestling ended in 2001 for me, so I just took it on and I loved the brand.

The difference between then and now? Well, we were at the fairgrounds in front of not very many people. The fairgrounds are not even there anymore. Now we’re in 120 countries worldwide, we filled up Wembley Stadium earlier this year, which was phenomenal, unbelievable. The ratings we have in other countries and here in the United States are growing every year. We are a growing company and it feels good. They’ve been good growing pains.

What would you say has been your defining moment during your TNA run?

I don’t know if there’s really one moment. Although I will say that the first time walking through the curtains at the Impact Zone – even the fairgrounds for that matter – was almost a life-changing event for me. It had been so long since I had been in the ring and I was wondering if people had forgotten who I am. Then when I got in there and there were chants of, “You’ve still got it!” That, to me, was the defining moment. It felt good that night.

Who have been some of your favorite opponents in TNA?

I would have to say Kurt Angle at Bound for Glory in ’07. He took me to my limit that night. That one match will go down in history for me as one of my better matches. It was pretty long and intense and we had a really good pace the whole night. A year later I was still feeling that one.

You’re facing Bobby Roode for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship this Sunday, and you’ve faced him in the past, including on last week’s live Impact show. What are your thoughts on how he’s grown as the TNA Champion and how have you been maintaining your conditioning against someone of his athleticism?

Whether you love him or hate him or you’re indifferent, Bobby Roode brings it every single night. He looks the part, he can work with anyone and have a great match and I think he carries himself well. I have personally pushed to keep him where he is, so I think there’s something good there and we’re all witnessing it now.

I’ve been in the gym every day this week and every time I’m put into a situation where I’m going to work with someone like Bobby Roode or Kurt Angle, believe me, I’m trying to get that cardio in and I’ve got a trainer I’ve been working with the last three months. We’ve made some huge strides and I’m just trying to get more mobility and flexibility in my movements and my body. So I’m training a lot differently now and I’m training more consistently and harder than I have in a long time, combined with eating the right way. Last Thursday night I could tell there was a difference in the way I felt in the ring, I had lots of fans and some of the wrestlers make comments, and I think this week will be even better. Over the next eight weeks, 16 weeks especially, I’m hoping to get back to where I was 15 years ago.

With your talk of the future, every year Dixie Carter asks you to stay on another year. Do you see yourself finishing up your career in TNA?

It’s almost ridiculous for me to try to answer that question because every year I think, “This is it. I can’t physically go on anymore” Dixie has been persistent and I’m having a good time. A the same time, we’re growing. We turned WCW into what we turned that into years ago with Monday Nitro and I’d love to see the same situation here with TNA. It’s hard to walk away when we’re not quite there. Some people may think we’re not going to get there, but I think there are a whole bunch of people who think, “Oh, yes we will.” We’re getting ready to launch some new stuff, you’ve seen some bits and pieces of it and it’s only going to get better as time goes on.

As of this moment, yeah. Never say “never” in this business, we all know that. And wrestler’s honor means jack, right? It doesn’t mean anything. But I can tell you that as it stands at this moment I’m happy where I am and if things continue the way they have, I can see myself hanging my boots up right here.

When you talk about changing your diet and your workouts, that doesn’t sound like somebody that’s thinking about ending your in-ring career anytime soon. Is that the way you look at it right now?

No matter how hard I train, what trainer I get or what I do, the bottom line is I am aging. After a while you just can’t go. There have been times where I don’t know if I can do another match. But, I come back and heal up and start to feel better and train differently and things go well. I’m training because whether it’s a month or a year, I want to be remembered as the Sting who can still go.

TNA has received criticism for relying too much on the older guys at the expense of fresh talent. How would you respond to that?

You cannot please everyone. It boils down to, do we pay attention to everything we read on Twitter or all the blogs, websites and dirt sheets, or do we listen more to what the wrestling fans are saying in the arenas live? How do they react to each individual wrestler? Furthermore, what are those ratings like every quarter hour? These days you can break it down to a five minute rating. The answers are there and you’re not dealing with a bunch of idiots who don’t have brains. There are people behind this machine that want to make it the best it can be. So they’re not going to try to cram something down somebody’s throat that’s just not going to work. They’re going to at least come up with a good blend of some of the older guys and some of the younger guys coming up – i.e., Bobby Roode and Sting. I think that is paying off, it’s working.

You’ve been a main event wrestler for more than 20 years and you’ll be in another main event pay-per-view title match this Sunday. What keeps you excited and motivated about wrestling after all these years?

There was a time when it was really hard for me to find the love and get motivated again. But in the last couple of years, especially the last 12 months, there’s been something that has sparked in me and the interest and motivation is much higher. I’m having more fun now than I think I ever have. I’ve taken some risks, I’ll admit, changing my character up a little bit. Some people like it, some people don’t. But I think overall people have enjoyed watching it. I love the group of people I’ve been working with; Dixie Carter has been so good to work with and seems to get better every single year. A lot of fans don’t know this about me, but I’m still nervous walking through those curtains 25, 26 years later.

How difficult was it to take those risks and change things up a bit?

It’s scary. There’s no other way to say it. The last time I felt like that was when I changed from the blonde flattop haircut and slowly but surely emerged with a white face, trench coat and baseball bat up in the rafters. It’s one of those times when you think, “Well, wrestling fans are going to fart all over this and you’re done or it’s going to work.” To step out, especially at my age and with all my years of wrestling, and try something like that, I think it was pretty gutsy. I know it’s a gamble and I know there are potentially people who are going to absolutely hate it, fart on it and then you’ll be remembered as going out as this horrible character. But for me, I think you have to take risks. I’m trying to tell some of the younger guys to do that and trying to show them that taking risks is good.

You’re the only WCW Champion never to appear in WWE. You said in another interview that you did come close to appearing at WrestleMania in 2011. How close were you to actually going over for WrestleMania?

On a scale of one to ten, I think the first three times or so over the years that I spoke with Vince McMahon, there were probably a couple of times that I got up to a six or a seven. This last go-round, we were probably at about a nine. It was very, very close. I was actually surprised that things turned out the way they did.

What was your reaction when Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff joined TNA a couple of years ago and what has it been like working with them again?

My reaction when they came in was guarded, but at the same time with open arms. That was then, this is now. It’s a completely different time and we all have a different frame of mind and different agendas now. I think we’re more on the same page now than we were then, so I think it’s been good.

Following their arrival and the subsequent changes they made in TNA, your on-screen demeanor changed quite a bit and you did some things that were uncharacteristic of what we had seen from you previously in TNA. Considering the more recent changes going on in TNA, which sort of started at Bound for Glory 2011 when you defeated Hogan to give control of the company back to Carter, what are some recent or upcoming changes that you think will maybe undo some past mistakes and put TNA where you all want it to be in the wrestling world?

Only time will tell. Although I may not agree with every single thing that I’ve done in the last year or two, or for my whole career for that matter, there are times when I’m still willing to try it because I’ve got a group of people saying, “I think it’s going to work. Let’s try this.” Then it gets to a point where you’ve just got to say, “OK. I’m just going to make this the best I can possibly make it. Whether I feel it or not, I’m just going to get out there and do my job and do it well.” I think with some of this new stuff we’re getting ready to do, the more reality-based stuff, there are going to be wrestlers that surprise everybody and who will emerge. And there’s probably going to be other wrestlers who may not be able to find a niche in all this. If we honestly all go into this with the right frame of mind and say, “Let’s just make it the best we can possibly make it,” then I think we have a really good chance of creating something that has never been done before. And I think wrestling fans will probably get on to it.

For more information, go to www.impactwrestling.com.

Matt Morgan looks to regain TNA Tag Team Championship at Victory Road

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Since his Total Nonstop Action Wrestling debut in 2007, “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan has been one of the company’s most dominant forces in the ring. Often referring to himself as “the DNA of TNA,” Morgan has been on the verge of title contention a few times, but only recently tasted singles success by becoming the first Heavyweight Champion for Ring Ka King, TNA’s Indian promotion. But it’s been his tag team success with the equally dominant Crimson that has kept American audiences watching as the duo has battled the unlikely pairing of Samoa Joe and Magnus for the TNA World Tag Team Championship. Having lost the belts to Joe and Magnus last month at Against All Odds (and failing to regain them a couple of weeks later in an Impact Wrestling rematch), Morgan and Crimson look to get back on the same page this Sunday at Victory Road and regain the title belts. As he prepares for this pay-per-view event, Morgan takes a moment to talk to Wrestling with Pop Culture about his recent successes.

You and Crimson have made a formidable tag team despite your differences as of late. What do you think it will take for the two of you to get back on the same page and get your titles back this Sunday?

That’s a very good question, and you hit the nail on the head as far as the differences going on between the two of us. I think our Achilles’ heel is not so much miscommunication. The way we started, we tried to outshine one another. But I’ve been in other tag teams where that just doesn’t work. Sting put us together for a reason and that was to go get the Tag Team Championships and hold those damn things for a very long time, not to lose them to Joe and his boyfriend Magnus. So we just need to put our competitive natures aside and put them in the right direction, which is Joe and Magnus, do what we do best and go out there and dominate. There’s no reason in hell why the two of us should not be the most dominant tag team in pro wrestling today, other than pure ego. I’ve got a hell of an ego, I can admit that. But I put that thing in check for the greater good of the team and he needs to do the same damn thing.

You’re obviously focused on this big tag team match this weekend, but is the tag team scene where your heart is? You’ve been on the verge of title contention a few times and some people think you’re long overdue for a singles reign.

I couldn’t agree any more with that. Winning the Tag Team Championships is ultra important and one should take pride in wearing them. But at the same time, I got into pro wrestling for one reason and that’s to be the top dog and be the World Champion. I know it sounds like a catch phrase, but that’s what I truly believe. I came out of my mom’s womb a future World Champion and I’m sick of waiting.

TNA recently had success in India with Ring Ka King and also drew some large and enthusiastic crowds in England. Do you think TNA has the potential to grow in other international markets?

When we did the Ring Ka King thing in India, I’ll be the first to tell you I had no idea what was in store. I had never been there before. I know we get a lot of Indian fans tweeting and saying, “Why doesn’t TNA come to India?” Lo and behold, we launched Ring Ka King. I haven’t been to enough other markets to answer that properly, but I would imagine with the success of Ring Ka King there’s got to be some places out there that are just dying to have a wrestling show of their own. That’s what Ring Ka King is. The Indian fans have something they feel is their own and when they’re energetic about something they come out in droves. I’m talking about when you’re leaving the show they stop your car and they’re shaking it. They treat you like you’re a Beatle down there, no exaggeration. I would want to be a part of it if there is a project in store to go to another market and do another company under the TNA umbrella. I think Ring Ka King’s been a great blueprint, pardon the pun. So why not try it in other markets?

It’s funny that you refer to Magnus as Joe’s girlfriend considering that they’ve gotten the better of you and Crimson more than once, including matches for the tag team title. It was also Magnus who defeated you for the Ring Ka King Championship. What makes you think you and Crimson can get back on the same page and win the title back this Sunday?

Would you rather me refer to him as his girlfriend? Magnus has gotten a lot better, and in my opinion this is nothing he hasn’t been capable of doing since he started. I wrestled Magnus in his very first match with our company at a house show in England – Gladiator vs. Gladiator I believe was the billing. He’s very young, he has great aptitude, he’s very intelligent and he’s a good promo. In the meantime, I think he’s also stepped up his in-ring ability. I think that happens with every wrestler. When you get an opportunity to be put into a spotlit angle and the attention is on you, it’s easier for you to get more confidence out of that. You’ve got to be really bad to blow that opportunity, but Magnus is the opposite. He’s stepped up and really has improved in the ring.

I noticed his confidence rise when we were over in India. It was a good opportunity for all of us to go over there and I was the first champion. We established who our babyfaces were and now there’s a heel group RDX led by Jeff Jarrett with Abyss, Scott Steiner, Sonjay Dutt and Magnus. Once you put the title in the hands of that group, it’s that much more dominant. So now the fans are just dying to see a group of babyfaces, or one babyface, come out there and serve those bad guys their comeuppance. That’s what this business has been built upon for years and that’s what I think has been so successful in Ring Ka King.

What makes us think we can beat those two? We’ve done it before and to be perfectly honest, we’re bigger, stronger and way more athletic. If we are on the same page, I like us being on the same page better than those two being on the same page. That’s why I think we can beat them.

Your partnership with Crimson has kind of outlasted many people’s expectations. Going into Victory Road, do you think this match will show what each of you guys can bring to the table individually?

The four of us have been working together for a long time, especially me and Joe. We were working together for a little while and developed some really good chemistry. We threw Crimson into that mix in a three way on one of the pay-per-views and we stepped up putting together better matches with the three of us. Now throw Magnus in, who I have been working with previously for months in India, and worked earlier on with with the British Invasion when I tagged with Hernandez, so I knew what all four guys could do. And so does Joe. When we’ve teamed together in these matches, we’ve tried the best we could to showcase each of our talents, hide our weaknesses, play to our strengths and go out there and put on the best matches possible. I can’t stand how I keep hearing that tag team wrestling is dead, it’s not what it used to be. To a degree, there are certain truths to that. So it was up to us to check our egos at the door, go out there and put the match first. When you have four guys like us who don’t put ourselves first, but put the match and the story first, the result will be the match we had at the last pay-per-view. And I’m hoping we can go out there and do even better this next pay-per-view.

As a wrestling fan, are there any other matches you’re looking forward to seeing?

I’m a huge wrestling fan at heart. I wouldn’t be staying away from my wife four days a week if this wasn’t something I had crazy fandom over. I like Austin Aries a lot. He goes out and performs his job as a villain and makes those fans boo him. I’ve got respect for a guy who does that. No matter how many times the fans might cheer for him and might be impressed with the moves he can do, at the end of the day the guy still goes out there and makes sure he performs his job. No matter who he’s wrestling against, they’ll end up getting cheered as a result. That’s a heel’s job at the end of the day, so I respect Austin for that alone. But his in-ring ability is just ridiculous. I like his storytelling, I like everything about his promos and I’m very much looking forward to his match.

For more information, go to www.impactwrestling.com.

High-flying Jeff Hardy looks for a new beginning in TNA at Turning Point

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When Jeff Hardy made his Impact Wrestling return on Spike TV recently, there was an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience. Considering that his last outing with Total Nonstop Action was a 90-second loss to Sting in the main event at Victory Road last March (not to mention he had turned his back on the fans just months before by joining Immortal), the fact that he was welcomed back so quickly might be a bit of a surprise. But I suppose surprises come with the territory when talking about “The Charismatic Enigma.” As he heads into a marquee match against Jeff Jarrett this Sunday at Turning Point, Hardy takes a moment to talk to Wrestling with Pop Culture about his return, how he’s preparing for the pay-per-view and more.

Courtesy Impact Wrestling

I was at the Impact Wrestling TV tapings in Macon, Ga. a couple of weeks ago, where you got another very positive response from the crowd. What were your expectations coming back to TNA? Were you surprised to have gotten such a positive response?

Not at all. I’ve been fortunate to have such support from the fans, even going back to when I first came back in Knoxville. I’ve always been real fortunate with that and I think I’ve always given the fans a lot, so I always get a lot in return. I think people have respect for me. Macon was great. It’s really good to get out of the Impact Zone every now and then to get to these fresh, bigger crowds, especially for TV tapings, so I think it was phenomenal.

It looks like you haven’t missed a step, but how has it felt to be back in a TNA ring?

I’ve been doing really well. We just got back yesterday from doing four live events in Michigan, Dayton, Ohio and Canada and we had four great shows. Physically, I’m in really good shape. I run every morning, I work out more than I probably ever have in my whole life, so everything’s extremely positive and I think that’s playing a big part in the way I feel in the ring. I feel awesome. Each match I’ve had since I’ve been back has felt really good. I’m excited about my future.

Before you returned to the ring, it seemed like there was a lot of hesitation in the locker room to accept you back. Do you feel like the rest of the roster is being more supportive now that you’ve proven yourself in the ring again?

I think so. Naturally, it was questionable coming back to a lot of the guys. It takes a while. I had decided that for the next year, I’m going to do whatever it takes to prove myself to these guys. I think it’s happened faster because I’ve been feeling really good and I think I’ve proved myself to everybody. The shows are great, I’ve been feeling great and I think that forgiveness has pretty much happened. We’re on an extreme roll in TNA and, like I said, I’m very excited about the future.

Courtesy Impact Wrestling

Going into Turning Point this Sunday, you’re facing Jeff Jarrett. When you were last in TNA, you were part of Immortal with Jeff Jarrett. With all that’s gone on since then with you, Immortal and TNA, what do you think you have to prove in this match and how are you preparing for it?

I think that’s real simple. It’s going to be challenging out there in the ring with Karen at his side, that’s for sure. But I beat him and that’s pretty much it as far as I’m concerned. I think I’ll prove something to him by beating him in the middle of the ring in my first actual match back at a pay-per-view. So I’ll beat him in the middle and see what happens.

Anything can happen out there. I’ve been to a lot of live events preparing for this match, but the couple of loops I’ve been on Jeff Jarrett hasn’t been there. So I might be at a little bit of a disadvantage. I’ve been doing a few more shows while he’s been resting up, but I’m going in there confident and I’m going to do what I always do and hopefully get the 1-2-3. But I feel better than I have in a long time in the ring, so I’m just going to try not to injure myself, but at the same time be entertaining in beating Jeff Jarrett.