Breaking News: Ring of Honor Wrestling is Coming to Destination America

Amid rumor and wide-spread speculation that Destination America would be cancelling Impact Wrestling when their contract allows for it later this year, the network has announced a huge, breaking news story this afternoon. 

Ring of Honor Wrestling is coming to Destination America. Now, if that date sounds familiar, it’s because Impact Wrestling is moving to Wednesday nights starting – you guessed it – June 3rd at 9PM ET. That means for the foreseeable future, Ring of Honor will act as the new intro program to TNA’s flagship show. 

What this means for Impact’s future is unclear. The move to Destination America is a major one for ROH, as the new timeslot means more viewers on a channel that is already bringing in wrestling fans for that block. Finding ROH on TV has been a struggle for many fans around the country, as they only air in certain regions, and generally in the late-night hours over the weekend. 

It would appear that the network is trying to double-down on wrestling content on Wednesday nights, in hopes of getting more eyes on Impact Wrestling. June 3rd looks to be something of a “re-launch” as Destination America’s brand new mid-week pro wrestling block. 

Kurt Angle Having Issues With Triple H ?

The Mirror in the UK recently spoke with current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle, who is set to defend his title against Ethan Carter III at Slammiversary, to promote the upcoming Slammiversary pay-per-view. Below are the highlights of the questions asked regarding him contacting WWE for a contract last year:

Last year you openly discussed your plan to finish your contract with TNA in September and re-sign with WWE to finish out your career. Can you clear up what happened there?

You know what, when it came down to it, I talked to both companies and it was an easy decision. From every perspective, from amount of dates, to the amount of money, to the amount of interest, it wasn’t a hard decision – TNA trumped the WWE. And for whatever reason, maybe the WWE didn’t think I could still go, maybe they just wanted to start grooming younger talent, although they’ve obviously hired Sting, brought in Batista and brought guys back like Jericho… I don’t know the full story, it could be anything, but when it came down to it I had my options open. I never said I was going to leave TNA and I never said I wouldn’t go back to WWE, but when I looked at the best scenario for me, hands down it was TNA. It wasn’t something I had to sit down and think about for hours, the writing was on the wall. It was TNA for one more year.

It’s been reported in some quarters that you didn’t want to work a full-time schedule. It’s also been suggested it was a case of personal differences between you and Triple H, after you approached Vince McMahon rather than him. Is that true?

I don’t think so, I don’t think that Triple H and I have any problems with each other, I’ve always liked him. He’s always treated me with respect and I’ve always treated him the same. No, I don’t think it was that. There was a point when my manager talked to them and I believe they did say ‘he would have to wrestle full-time’. That is not an option for me, not at this point in my career. So, whether that was part of it, honestly I just don’t think they had that much interest in signing Kurt Angle at that point. For whatever reason, it could have been my mishaps in my past, it could have been that they didn’t think I was healthy enough to go – and obviously I am – but we never got a full answer of why they couldn’t give me what I wanted. And it wasn’t just what I wanted, it was a reduced schedule, but there was no option.

Dixie Carter gave me exactly what I wanted and it wasn’t a hard decision. I wasn’t upset, I was excited about signing another year with TNA. I think they did an incredible job this year. They had to refocus, they had to re-group, they had some issues in the past, and I think they’ve done an incredible job of making their way back. Are they back to what they were? No. But they’re on their way and they’re doing so many good things right now that make me excited about being part of the company.

Veteran Talent Leaving TNA, Bad News For Ryback, Samoa Joe - Main Roster News

* Christy Hemme has reportedly given notice to TNA and will be leaving soon. She will reportedly be working a great job outside of pro wrestling. Hemme has been with TNA since 2006, most recently working with creative. There was some speculation that she may still work a role at TV tapings but that’s not confirmed and most people believe she’s leaving altogether.

* TNA has a meeting scheduled for this afternoon where they may discuss the reports on Destination America but as of this morning, Dixie Carter had not addressed them yet. There have been several people within TNA unhappy because nothing has been said past the e-mail statement that TNA issued before.

* There has been some concern over Ryback’s ribs and word is that he was either scheduled for x-rays or has already had them. It was said that things “didn’t look good” after an initial assessment.

* Latest reports suggest that Samoa Joe could be using the same name on the main roster as well.

Samoa Joe Reveals Why He Left TNA Wrestling

Samoa Joe recently spoke with The LAW: Live Audio Wrestling and revealed why he decided to leave TNA Wrestling. Here’s what Joe had to say on the topic:

“I think the decision was made in the final few weeks. I’ve often been called by people loyal to a fault, and I didn’t feel the mission was accomplished in TNA yet. I’d done my best throughout my career to help try to build the company and bring it into prominence. It’s had its ups and down and pitfalls here and there, and I don’t feel that job was finished yet. Towards the end there, there were some apparent things and incidents that kinda showed me that maybe it was time for me to move on and maybe it was better for me, both personally and professionally, to explore other options and explore other things. I’ve gotta admit, I’m not unhappy with my decision. I’m unhappy that I didn’t get the opportunity to kinda finish out what I wanted to start in TNA, but at the same time, so many great things have popped up since that I’m very, very satisfied with the decision that I made.”

WWF Legend Not Coming Back to WWE after all ?

After speculation regarding Kurt Angle could potentially jump ship back to WWE, the TNA Hall of Famer has now re-signed with Impact Wrestling, according to Vince Russo.

Following an interview with Angle on his podcast “The Swerve”, Russo revealed that Angle told him that he will return to TNA despite a WWE comeback was potentially in the cards.

“Kurt basically tweeted me back today and he said, ‘Vince, it’s still unofficial, but I have no problem telling you or you announcing or you saying on your show that I’m going to go back to work for TNA,'” Russo said.

TNA has also released promotional material that includes Angle’s name, per Discovery Communications.

Hulk Hogan & Ric Flair To Be Featured in Upcoming TNA PPV

TNA will be producing two new One Night Only PPV events, “Legends: Icons Part 1″ and “Turning Point.” The following is synopsis for “Legends: Icons Part 1,” debuting on January 3rd:

“Join TNA for a look back at the Stars who made professional wrestling what it is today. With classic matches featuring: Hulk Hogan, Jeff Hardy, Ric Flair and more.”

The following is the synopsis for “Turning Point,” a three hour PPV event premiering on January 9th:

“See all your favorite stars in action including; Abyss, Austin Aries, Ethan Carter III, James Storm, Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe and more!”