It is an absolutely huge week for news with the results from TNA's Bound For Glory from last Sunday, a new TNA world champion crowned on Monday at the Impact tapings, the lineup for WWE's Vengeance pay-per-view from San Antonio scheduled for tonight, two national pieces done on two of pro wrestling's bigger names and a health setback for a long-time WWE office employee among the many items to report this week.
At the Liacouras Center in Philly last Sunday evening, Sting defeated Hulk Hogan to regain control of the company for Dixie Carter and Hogan began a face turn by saving the Stinger from a post-match beat down when Immortal attacked with a plethora of chairshots. Hogan tore off his t-shirt and cleaned house, punctuated with a shot to the jaw of former crony Eric Bischoff.
Kurt Angle retained the TNA heavyweight championship by pinning challenger Bobby Roode for the three count while using the ropes for leverage. Angle appeared injured during the bout. He had been the subject of a lengthy national newspaper article shortly before the ppv that detailed his recent training for another shot at Olympic glory.
After a highly successful, but injury-riddled professional career that he says he is cutting back on to try to prove wrong the naysayers who believe he is too old for success in the world of real wrestling, Angle seems to want to tell anyone who will listen that he is serious about a competitive comeback.
Velvet Sky captured the women's belt in a three-way over Madison Rayne and Winter. A.J. Styles defeated Christopher Daniels, and Crimson outlasted Samoa Joe. Austin Aries prevailed over Brian Kendrick, and Mexican America kept the tag straps with a win over Ink Inc.
After defeating one half of the Beer Money Inc. tag team at the ppv, Angle told Roode on Monday at the Impact tapings that aired on Thursday that there was no rematch for him despite the controversial finish. That brought out James Storm, Roode's partner, who was given a world title opportunity by Sting (who apparently now has the power to make matches on behalf of Dixie) for the main event of the program.
Of course, Storm made good on his incredible fortune and defeated Angle in a short bout to win the belt his partner had worked for months to become the number one contender for in an obvious ploy to start a feud between members of the most successful tag team in TNA history.
At least, it is a fresh storyline and matchup for a company desperately in need of an identity after so many years of floundering aimlessly. Not saying it will necessarily be gold at the box office, but it is worth a shot and the matches should be quite a bit better than anything Hogan, Sting or Flair could possibly turn out at this stage of their lives.
Tonight at Vengeance, John Cena squares off with Alberto Del Rio for the WWE title in a Last Man Standing match. Mark Henry defends the world belt versus the returning Big Show, and Sheamus battles Christian. Triple H and C.M. Punk tag up to face R-Truth and the Miz. Randy Orton goes after Cody Rhodes.
Mick Foley is being advertised for the three-hour Raw scheduled for Boston on Nov. 14. That is also supposed to be a show setting the table for the return of Rock at Survivor Series where he is expected to team with John Cena before facing him at this year's WrestleMania.
Scott Hall and his demons were the focus of a sad, but in-depth feature on ESPN this past Wednesday night. Some of the footage shown included his days on the network during the 1980s when he wrestled for Verne Gagne's AWA. Hall was reportedly back in rehab last week courtesy of WWE. Stephanie McMahon acknowledged on the show that they have spent considerable sums of money trying to help Hall overcome his addictions over the years because "once part of the WWE family, always part of the WWE family".
Speaking of WWE family, Gerald Brisco, former tag team champ and long-time member of the company's inner office staff, reportedly suffered what was labeled as a minor stroke this past week according to close friend Jim Ross.
Ross, who returned to Raw on Monday to wrestle arch-nemesis Michael Cole in a tag team event, said Brisco was hospitalized in Tampa, but is a "fighter." Meanwhile, Hugo Savinovich, long-time announcer located at the infamous Spanish announcers table that has been the target of many a rib over the years on pay-per-views, has reportedly been left go by the company according to wrestlingobserver.com.
This week the Wrestling Observer Newsletter announced the addition of Dr. Death Steve Williams and King Curtis Iaukea to its prestigious Wrestling Hall of Fame. Both men's illustrious careers are reviewed extensively by editor Dave Meltzer in this week's newsletter and it is available online or via snail mail for a very reasonable price.