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Pro Wrestler Explains Move To New Alliance

Posted: Jan 10th 2009 By: CMBurnham

When Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment (then Federation) bought rival World Championship Wrestling in 2001 and then acquired Extreme Championship Wrestling, McMahon's monopoly on the biz seemed unbreakable.

Yet in 2002, Total Nonstop Action (then NWA/TNA) surfaced and began differentiating itself with its X Division's fast-paced matches, a six-sided ring, and weekly pay-per-views while keeping costs down by filming in one location. It didn't begin airing its TV series, "TNA Impact!," until 2004. In 2005, the show moved to Spike TV.

As TNA's popularity increased, it attracted the competition's talent. Its more relaxed schedule and decreased travel allowed it to eventually woo big-name WWE wrestlers such as Booker T and Kurt Angle. Mick Foley is the company's latest coup.

Although the WWE still leads the ratings, TNA remains a legitimate contender. And it has added more road shows of late -- including Sunday's "Genesis" pay-per-view broadcast from Bojangles' Coliseum.

In October, after 12 years of working on and off for the WWE, Mick Foley made a surprising jump to the competition: Spike TV's "Total Nonstop Action Wrestling."

On Sunday, the 43-year-old legend -- known for bloody, over-the-top matches -- returns to wrestling in a six-man match at TNA's "Genesis" pay-per-view event at Bojangles' Coliseum.

The Observer recently caught up with the wrestler/author to discuss his big move.

Q. Why the move to TNA?

It felt like I'd done everything I could in WWE. I did give announcing a try for five months, which was long enough to realize it wasn't something I wanted to pursue. The TNA opportunity sounded like a positive way to make a difference in the wrestling business. I thought I would have some doubts, but it's been a guilt-free move; the best thing I could have done.

Q. How so?

Anytime wrestlers have an option and are actually in a position to negotiate and deal from a position of strength, it's good for everybody. I had always believed, and written in a book that WWE published, that the wrestling business would be better off with a viable second (option). I was pretty sure my difference-making days at WWE were over.

Q. Personally, what are some of the advantages to TNA?

Travel is more limited. It's a more regular schedule. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see most of this country and quite a bit of the world, but I have four kids (ages 5, 8, 15 and 17). I'm getting a chance to spend more time with my younger kids than I was able to with my older kids.

Q. You've written several books. Any new ideas percolating?

The new movie "The Wrestler" is getting such positive buzz I'm thinking of revisiting a thought I had to fictionalize a 1987 trip I made to West Africa. It was a hectic trip, and the government was overthrown within weeks after I left. I had always thought I could tell an interesting tale, but until the critical acclaim of "The Wrestler," I didn't think there would be interest.

Q. You appeared at a few independent events in the Carolinas a few years back. Do you have any thoughts on wrestling's history here?

That was an exciting atmosphere where this small promotion was drawing up to 3,500 people to see names from the past. I always felt like I was someplace special when I performed in Charlotte. Charlotte was a city that was difficult for WWE to crack for many years, although they do well there now. The people are open to a different option.

Tags: WWE, TNA, Mick Foley

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Spotlight in History

1977 Dick Murdoch def. Jerry Oates for the TSW North American Title
1978 Jerry Stubbs became the TSW Mississippi Champion
1999 Joey Casanova became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
2010 Jermaine Johnson def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2021 Koko became the WAH Living Hope Champion
2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
2021 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Cpl. Punishment) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber, Reese, & T-Arsenal) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
2021 Danni Bee became the NCWO Women's Champion
2021 Samedi def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Title
2021 Ky-Ote became the NCWO Choctaw Nation Champion
2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
2021 Akbar Farat def. Tino Valentino for the NCWO Heavyweight Title
2022 Jason Jones def. Dimitri Alexandrov for the WFC Prime Title
2022 Leo Fox became the ASP Mid-American Champion
2022 Olivier Vegos def. Skylar Slice for the ASP Women's Title
2022 High Ratings (Maui Mike & Beau Betten) def. Chosen Influence (Malik Mayfield & Luke Richmond) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
2022 Gatekeeper def. Mr. Nasty for the ASP 5-Star Title
2022 Tino Valentino became the ASP Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 11-01 to Sat: 11-07

11-01 1960 Tony Jiminez & Jesse Jiminez became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
11-01 1981 Ted DiBiase def. Paul Orndorff for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
11-01 1982 Al Madril def. Frank Dusek for the WCCW Television Title
11-01 2008 El Hoto def. Martin Justice for the OECW Southwestern Title
11-01 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Matthews III) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
11-01 2013 Steven Sterling def. Bobby Starr for the ComPro Showtime Title
11-01 2014 Guy Atticus became the IZW Impact Division Champion
11-01 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
11-01 2019 Brock Landers def. Tego for the ASP Inter-County Title
11-01 2020 Double D became the EPW Heavyweight Champion
11-01 2020 Drake Gallows became the EPW All-American Champion
11-01 2020 Revan became the EPW Internet Television Champion
11-01 2020 The Sidekicks (Kevin James Sanchez & Gemini [2nd]) became the EPW Tag Team Champions
11-01 2020 High Times (Father Padge & Dean Lambert) def. The Sidekicks (Kevin James Sanchez & Gemini [2nd]) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
11-01 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. The Trendsetters (Andre West & Nelly Rivers) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
11-02 1978 Ray Candy def. Ernie Ladd for the TSW Arkansas Title
11-02 2002 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 Ty Magnus def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 John O'Malley def. Ty Magnus for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2003 Outcast def. X-Cal for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-02 2013 Kevin Morgan def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
11-02 2013 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
11-02 2013 Miss Diss Lexia def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
11-02 2014 Les Mayne def. Rick Russo for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
11-02 2019 Clint Poe became the EmpCW All American Champion
11-02 2019 War Party (Gorgeous Garcia & Nytronis A’Teo) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the EmpCW Tag Team Titles
11-02 2019 Dexter Hardaway def. Double D for the EmpCW Heavyweight Title
11-02 2019 Karnage def. Naiomi Sanders for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Unicorn def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Karnage def. Unicorn for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 C. M. Burnham def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Karnage def. C. M. Burnham for the BPW 365 Title
11-02 2019 Naomi Sanders def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
11-03 2001 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
11-03 2001 Splash Jackson def. Big Daddy Moore for the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
11-03 2012 The Old School Suckas (Randy Price & Bryan Cruize) def. Big Business (Damon Windsor & Kevin Morgan) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
11-03 2012 Erica def. Angel Blue for the IZW Queens Title
11-03 2018 Damon Windsor def. Randy Price for the WCR Revolutionary Title
11-04 1985 Rick Rude def. King Parsons for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
11-04 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. Jerry Lawler for the WCCW World Title
11-04 2005 Beau Dalton & Bobby Dalton became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
11-05 1979 Jim Garvin & Herb Calvert def. Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
11-05 1980 Hector Guerrero & Ron Sexton def. Ron McFarlane & Doug Somers for the TSW Tag Team Titles
11-05 2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
11-05 2004 Luc Lapointe def. Prophet for the SRPW Boys and Girls Club Title
11-05 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
11-05 2004 Beau Dalton def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
11-05 2005 Justin Lee & Michael Faith became the TPW Tag Team Champions
11-05 2011 Michael York & Ignition became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
11-05 2011 Brandon Walker def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
11-05 2011 X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & David Kyzer) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
11-05 2016 Kareem Sadat def. Dean Lambert for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title
11-06 1977 Dick Murdoch def. Jerry Oates for the TSW North American Title
11-06 1978 Jerry Stubbs became the TSW Mississippi Champion
11-06 1999 Joey Casanova became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
11-06 2010 Jermaine Johnson def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
11-06 2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
11-06 2021 Koko became the WAH Living Hope Champion
11-06 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
11-06 2021 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Cpl. Punishment) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber, Reese, & T-Arsenal) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
11-06 2021 Danni Bee became the NCWO Women's Champion
11-06 2021 Samedi def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Title
11-06 2021 Ky-Ote became the NCWO Choctaw Nation Champion
11-06 2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
11-06 2021 Akbar Farat def. Tino Valentino for the NCWO Heavyweight Title
11-06 2022 Jason Jones def. Dimitri Alexandrov for the WFC Prime Title
11-06 2022 Leo Fox became the ASP Mid-American Champion
11-06 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Skylar Slice for the ASP Women's Title
11-06 2022 High Ratings (Maui Mike & Beau Betten) def. Chosen Influence (Malik Mayfield & Luke Richmond) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
11-06 2022 Gatekeeper def. Mr. Nasty for the ASP 5-Star Title
11-06 2022 Tino Valentino became the ASP Heavyweight Champion
11-07 1984 Bill Dundee def. Adrian Street for the MSW Television Title
11-07 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. The Old School Express (Jason Jones & Jake Boulder) for the MStW Southern Tag Team Titles
11-07 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
11-07 2015 The Terror Squad (D Money & Montego Seeka & Marce Lewis, Nytronis A'Teo & MVP) became the IWR Tag Team Champions

11-06

Frank Dunbar Nov 6th Today!
Darin Matthews Nov 6th Today!
Brian Faith Nov 6th Today!
Lu Kim Nov 6th Today!
Ken Patera Nov 6th Today!
Dominik Whiteheart Nov 7th
King Kong Bundy Nov 7th
Nigel Rabid Nov 7th
Joey Ryan Nov 7th
Faded Ghoul Nov 7th
Keith Watkins Nov 7th
Silverado Nov 7th
Treach Phillips, Jr. Nov 8th
Rika Wildlee Nov 8th
Dizzy Davis Nov 8th
Austin Mulitalo Nov 8th
Joyce Grable Nov 9th
Jean-Claude Boudreaux Nov 9th
Lance Osburn Nov 9th
Kolossus Nov 9th
Nick Patrick Nov 9th
Gil Knutson Nov 9th
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Bob Orton, Jr. Nov 10th
Prince Tapu Nov 10th
Kinzer Keel Nov 10th
Danny Savich Nov 10th
Marshall Von Erich Nov 10th
Alex Perez Nov 11th
Green Dragon Nov 11th
Brandon Moxley Nov 11th
Little Cloud Nov 11th
Luigi Columbo Nov 11th
Brett Taylor Nov 12th
Thud Powell Nov 12th
Terrale Tempo Nov 12th
Vickie Lynn McCoy Nov 12th
Gary Tool Nov 12th
Varik Vayne Nov 12th
Austin Tacious Nov 12th
Ty Thunder Nov 12th
Big Smooth Nov 13th
L. J. McDaniels Nov 13th
Tiny Bell Nov 14th
Kyle Kelly Nov 14th
Shane Sanders Nov 14th
Kirk Castle Nov 14th
Super Beast Nov 15th
Killer Cross Nov 15th
Armin Syzlack Nov 15th
Killer Cross Nov 15th
Sean Pearl Nov 15th
Brieanna Bringle Nov 16th
Chase Bristow Nov 17th
Brent Wall Nov 17th
Kikutaro Nov 17th
Kenny K Nov 17th
Josh Hogan Nov 17th
Drake Gallows Nov 17th
Johnny Weaver Nov 17th
Johnny Graves Nov 17th
Snowman Nov 17th
Chris Russo Nov 18th
Everett Kibbons Nov 18th
Reaper Nov 18th
Ricky Gibson Nov 19th
Turnbuckle Tim Nov 19th

1977 Dick Murdoch def. Jerry Oates for the TSW North American Title
1978 Jerry Stubbs became the TSW Mississippi Champion
1999 Joey Casanova became the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
2010 Jermaine Johnson def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Heavyweight Champion
2021 Koko became the WAH Living Hope Champion
2021 Tino Valentino became the NCWO Oklahoma Champion
2021 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Cpl. Punishment) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber, Reese, & T-Arsenal) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
2021 Danni Bee became the NCWO Women's Champion
2021 Samedi def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Title
2021 Ky-Ote became the NCWO Choctaw Nation Champion
2021 Akbar Farat def. Tino Valentino for the NCWO Heavyweight Title
2022 Jason Jones def. Dimitri Alexandrov for the WFC Prime Title
2022 Leo Fox became the ASP Mid-American Champion
2022 Olivier Vegos def. Skylar Slice for the ASP Women's Title
2022 High Ratings (Maui Mike & Beau Betten) def. Chosen Influence (Malik Mayfield & Luke Richmond) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
2022 Gatekeeper def. Mr. Nasty for the ASP 5-Star Title
2022 Tino Valentino became the ASP Heavyweight Champion

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Wrestling For a Cause

Hometown Heroes Champion
Titan Yin

Heavyweight Champion: Wrangler Rhett
Tag Team Champions: Trendsetters
Prime Champion: Derek James