TNA Starts Suicide Angle, DVD Rankings, TNA Signs Major Deal In India
- TNA have started the storyline angle with TNA video game character Suicide. During Impact last night a message that read “whoissuicide.com” flashed on the screen during Christy Hemme’s match with Taylor Wilde. That address links to a Myspace page reading:
“It comes and goes…my memory…the flashbacks…waking up on the side of the road…the blood…the pain…how did I get here?…the surgery…the anger. The only thing that is clear…the only thing that makes sense…is to get revenge. Try to remember. Find them. Make them pay. My time will come. TNA will soon know me. But I must remember to be patient. I’m not ready to unleash him yet. I’m not strong enough yet. But I will be soon. PATIENCE…THEN PAYBACK”
As reported first here, there are strong rumors that Suicide (the main character in the story mode of the upcoming Impact game) will be Kaz under a mask.
- Here is this week’s Billboard top Recreational and Sport DVD rankings. Ric Flair still holds strong in second:
1 UFC 83: Serra Vs St-Pierre
2 NBA Champions 2007-2008: Boston Celtics
3 WWE: Nature Boy Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection
4 WWE: Night Of Champions 2008
5 WWE: The Rock: The Most Electrifying Man In Sports
6 MLB: Yankee Stadium: Baseball’s Cathedral
7 WWE: WrestleMania XXIV
8 WWE: One Night Stand 2008
9 NFL: Road To Super Bowl XLII
10 NHL: Detroit Red Wings: Stanley Cup 2007-2008
- Press Release:
ESPN STAR Sports powers up wrestling action for fans in South Asia with TNA Wrestling- ESS renews broadcast partnership and acquires exclusive rights.
Asia’s leading sports broadcaster, ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) today announced a new long-term contract for the exclusive right to broadcast TNA Wrestling across various platforms, including television, mobile and internet. The contract provides ESS broadcast rights across the Indian subcontinent including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives.
Starting in September, ESPN STAR Sports will showcase a comprehensive and entertaining line-up of programming including two popular programs ‘TNA iMPACT!’ & ‘TNA Xplosion’ every week and the big blockbuster fight in the monthly special events. In addition, ESS will showcase more TNA wrestling action every week in the form of original programming custom-produced for sub-continental fans.
For the first time, wrestling fans in South Asia will now be able to engage with and experience the action in a unique manner. Starting this year, ESPN STAR Sports and TNA plan to bring leading TNA Wrestlers to the subcontinent every year on promotional tours, giving fans a chance to see them in action up-close. Fans will also be able to get real close to the action through special consumer contests run by ESS and TNA, where winners will be flown to Universal Studios, Orlando, to watch their favorite wrestlers live in action.
Mr. Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports, said: “We are delighted to further extend our partnership with TNA Wrestling. Through our entertaining programming and innovative promotional efforts we continue to build TNA Wrestling in the Indian Subcontinent and with this new contract we are bringing in many more interactive and engaging opportunities for wrestling fans in South Asia. We are confident that fans will fully enjoy this unique experience.”
Dixie Carter, President, TNA, said: “Outside the United States, India is arguably the most important country in the world for televised wrestling, and we are extremely excited to continue bringing TNA’s unique form of entertainment to our fans throughout the Indian Subcontinent. TNA has a great partner with ESPN STAR Sports, and we are determined to build the biggest wrestling brand in India. TNA is committed to growing the brand worldwide, and this agreement is an important step forward for TNA within the international marketplace.”
In the past six months, TNA Wrestling has signed or extended deals with Bravo in the United Kingdom, Fox8 in Australia, BT Vision in the United Kingdom, Main Event in Australia, Sport TV in Portugal, Premiere in Germany, and Antena Neox in Spain.
