[WWW] NWA TNA 10.21903 Mike Tenay column

http://www.nwatna.com/interact/professor/2003/10/19/professor.shtml

10.19.03 | This Wednesday's (10/22/03) edition of the TNA PPV looks to
be one of our strongest in-ring shows in several months. The "Night Of
Champions" will offer three title bouts with the long-awaited and
highly-anticipated A.J. Styles vs. Jeff Jarrett NWA Worlds Heavyweight
Championship rematch topping the card. The bout that was four months
in the making offers some interesting subplots. How will Styles fare
without the services of Vince Russo who was taken out last Wednesday
by Jarrett?

Will Jarrett be able to maintain his focus on Styles after his
controversial confrontation with Hulk Hogan last week in Tokyo, Japan?
In addition, the NWA Worlds Tag Team Champions, Simon Diamond and
Johnny Swinger, are set to defend their belts against Danny Doring and
Roadkill, who scored a non-title win last week thanks to America's
Most Wanted. The X Division gold will be on the line in a three-way
match as champ Michael Shane meets Chris Sabin and Christopher
Daniels. Sonjay Dutt, coming off an impressive debut in an X Division
tag last Wednesday, steps up in class to face a former X Division
Champion in Kid Kash. We'll finally get to witness step two in Raven's
plan to eliminate Father James Mitchell's New Church when he gets his
one week delayed showdown with Slash. And which team will Glen
Gilberti recruit to meet Chris Harris and James Storm? We'll answer
that question and many more this Wednesday night on TNA.

We remind you that while Mike Tenay is unable to answer every question
and respond personally, you are still invited to send your questions
and comments to [EMAIL PROTECTED] . Please include your Name and
Location with your questions.

Let's get to the electronic mailbag:


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FROM: JEFF IN CANADA
Where the hell is New Jack? We want more Sandman.

ANSWER:
New Jack was suspended by TNA management several months ago. Sandman
just appeared on TNA a couple weeks back (10/1/03) in a win over David
Young.


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FROM: MJKANA
Whatever happened to Reno?

ANSWER: 
Rick Cornell is living in Las Vegas, Nevada and working outside of the
wrestling business.


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FROM: JENNIFER COLLURA
When is the funeral for Stu Hart? I think that family has been through
too much pain and heartache.

ANSWER: 
The funeral for Stu will be this Thursday (10/23/03) at 11 a.m. at The
First Alliance Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The funeral will be
open to the public and will be attended by many members of the pro
wrestling community. The Hart family has chosen Harley Race and Chris
Benoit to serve as pallbearers. To refer to Stu as an unforgettable
character and personality is an understatement. He impacted the
wrestling business as a wrestler, promoter and trainer. We'll miss his
annual appearance at the Cauliflower Alley Club


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FROM: MICHAEL MCKENNA
What do you think about Hulk Hogan in TNA?

ANSWER:
I think that Jimmy Hart's phone call last Wednesday was the first
phase in a new era of TNA. The confrontation between Hogan and Jarrett
in Japan has the wrestling world talking about our product. The
association with Hogan aligns TNA with the most famous person in the
history of our
business. This is a huge step for both our company and our industry.


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FROM: GAVIN NAPIER
I'm a wrestling fan of 20 years and there are two things that get my
juices flowing more than any other. The first is a great big brawl to
end the show. The other thing I really love are one night tournaments.
Thanks for being accessible to the fans and taking the time to read
our e-mails.

ANSWER:
Well, I hope you've been watching our TNA PPVs in recent weeks.Styles
and Jarrett closed this past week's show with a pull-apart brawl that
gave us just a taste of the action we'll witness this Wednesday night.
And our one-night Super X Tournament on September 3rd was a great
example of the no-limits style of the X Division.


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FROM: FARR AND FAMILY
Where is Taka Michinoku?

ANSWER:
He's living and occasionally wrestling in Japan. I just saw where he
appeared for All Japan Pro Wrestling (10/14/03) in Hachinohe, Japan,
in a six man tag match. He joined D-Lo Brown and Gigantes (aka Malice
in TNA and The Wall in WCW) in defeating Keiji Muto (Great Muta),
Tomaki Honma and Masayuki Kono.


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FROM: CHRIS PAYNE
How is Bobby Heenan doing with his recovery from cancer? I miss him on
TV and I hope that TNA will be on regular television soon.
ANSWER:
Bobby is doing great in his recovery and is making regular appearances
(i.e. autograph signings) all over the country. He's recently been
working on his second book which will be available in early 2004. Our
syndicated Xplosion show is available in many markets and please check
to see if your local cable company is offering our countdown show at
7:30 p.m. (Eastern) every Wednesday on the TNA PPV channel. This
website offers a list of stations that air Xplosion.


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FROM: NENA
What is the style of "straight edge" wrestling that C.M. Punk uses?

ANSWER:
It's not a wrestling style, it's a life style that encourages no drug
or alcohol use.


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FROM: BRAD CARMICHAEL
Is it true that Kevin Northcutt of Redshirt Security has previouisly
won the NWA Title?

ANSWER:
While Northcutt has never been NWA Worlds Champion, he's held NWA
regional titles in Texas and Louisiana.


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FROM: SIXTYBAR
Whatever happened to Mike Awesome? 
ANSWER:
While Awesome hasn't appeared on TNA for several months, he's still
active for MLW (Major League Wrestling) in the U.S. and for All Japan
in the Orient as The Gladiator


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FROM: YARI WILDHEART
With the TNA DVDs available in the U.S., do you ever think we'll see
them available in Australia? You and Don West are definitely one of
the best commentary teams.

ANSWER: 
The three great DVDs (all hosted by Don West and myself) are available
NOW on this website. Just refer to the directions for international
shipping. All three (Best NWA Title Matches, Best X Division and Best
Bloodiest Brawls) are must have items for TNA fans and collectors and
make great Christmas gifts. I hear that first day (10/15/03) sales
were off the charts. Don't delay ... order them today.


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FROM: ARBOK947
Do you remember when Jeff Jarrett smashed a guitar over your head in
WCW? How did you get the nickname of The Professor?

ANSWER:
Like it was yesterday. Jarrett was upset at my line of questioning
during an interview and smashed the guitar over my head (opening up
cuts on my nose and head). It took place in the locker room in Denver,
Colorado, and I have to admit I saw a similar look in his eyes last
week when I referred to the "incident" with Hulk Hogan several years
ago in Florida. My broadcast partner in WCW, Tony Schiavone, gave me
"The Professor" nickname.


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FROM: MIKE PRUCHNIEWSKI (DETROIT, MICH.)
Back in 1999 what made Master P come to WCW? 
ANSWER: 
The famous rapper was looking to expand his fan base and both he and
WCW thought the idea would gain crossover media attention.


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FROM: MARCUS C (VANCOUVER, B.C.)
Where is Elix Skipper and will there be a "Bound For Glory" DVD? 
ANSWER:
In addition to TNA, Skipper wrestles frequently in Japan. Look for him
to return soon. I think it's a safe bet to say that matches from our
first-ever 3 hour mega PPV event, Bound For Glory on November 30, will
eventually be included on a DVD. No word, however, if the entire show
would
be available on DVD so I suggest you catch the PPV live.

Mike Tenay
[EMAIL PROTECTED]