TNA Tries To Make Up For Sunday

TNA is offering an exclusive deal to fans who felt completely ripped off after ordering Victory Road on Sunday. For those living under the rock, the PPV was full of lame finishes and an 88 second main event between TNA Champion Sting and Jeff Hardy, who was clearly in no condition to compete. TNA has been on damage control since, sending Jeff Hardy home.

TNA is offering those who were angered by what happened at Victory Road six free months of access to their TNA Wrestling online library. They ask you to send your pay-per-view receipt to them. You can send it to TNA OnDemand Offer, 209 10th Avenue South #302, Nashville, TN 37203.

Unfortunately, I really don't think this is going to quell the anger of fans, who have more than likely given up on the product. I'm also stunned it took them five days to come up with this. At the very least, refunds should be offered for those who don't want to take part in the deal. Just because people don't have take them up on the offer doesn't mean that they were happy with the pay-per-view. They could have lost their PPV receipt, or they could just not care about the product. Either way, I guess good on them for trying.

...And More Hardy News

Jason Powell of ProWrestling.net is reporting some more information regarding last night's Sting-Jeff Hardy debacle at Victory Road.

According to Powell, when Bischoff went to the ring prior to the match, he called an audible. Fans speculated and found it odd that Bischoff would put the microphone behind his back and talk to both Sting and Jeff, but he was pretty much just relaying the new match plans to both men. I have the strangest feeling that Sting knew something was going to happen, however, as the anguish and disdain in his eyes were very, very visible.

The word is in TNA circles it that Hardy needed assistance being taken from outside the building to the Gorilla Position for the match, which could explain why it took Jeff so long to reach the stage and make his entrance, which he stumbled through, practically falling up the steps and reaching at his shirt and mugging oddly for the camera.

According to Powell, once management saw how bad off Hardy was just on the entrance stage, they realized that an audible needed to be called.

As reported this morning, Jeff Hardy was sent home from tonight and tomorrow's Impact tapings. There is no word on when he will be slated to return, but be sure to know that he will not be on TV for at least two weeks.

Matt Hardy "Updates" Us on Jeff

Former WWE Superstar and current TNA wrestler Matt Hardy has posted the following on his Twitter account. You can follow him on Twitter at TheMattHardyBrand.

"Well, today has been quite interesting to say the least.

And yes, Jeff is fine. I'm [definitely] fine. Just

sore from busting my ass last night."

It's important to keep in mind as well that Matt informed us that Jeff was fine after his home was raided by the police in September of 2009, where police claim they found muscle relaxers, cocaine and other paraphernalia. Jeff has a court date next week stemming from the drug trafficking charges from the September 2009 bust.

I also would like to add that having seen the Sting-Hardy match that Jeff is probably fine today, but he was not fine last night. The guy was swaying back and forth as he walked. Thank God his makeup is so bright and thick, because I couldn't get a good look at his eyes to tell. What I can tell you, however, is that Sting was livid and Hardy couldn't walk a straight line, let alone get up the stairs. It was embarrassing for TNA and for the ardent supporters who ordered the pay-per-view. I'd like to believe Matt when he says that Jeff is fine, but I think at this stage of things, the fans are no longer believing it.

Time For Damage Control

TNA fans everywhere are still infuriated over what happened last night at Victory Road. According to wrestlezone, the TNA locker room is in an uproar that they ignored the fact that Jeff Hardy was in no condition to perform and still had him compete.

All the blame cannot fall on Jeff Hardy here. It has to fall on this woman to my right, and her executives as well. It was their decision to keep Jeff in the main event and not make it a triple threat or anything. Yes, fans regarded Sting and Jeff Hardy as a dream match-up, but the taste in their mouth is so sour right now that they may a) never watch or support TNA again or b) not care enough the next time that Sting and Hardy are in the ring together.

TNA has long been accused of ignoring the problems of their wrestlers. When Booker T was suspended for sixty days following the Signature Pharmacy scandal that rocked WWE, he left. He felt WWE had thrown him under the bus and tried to make an example out of him, when all they had done was what they could to try and alleviate the pressure that was being put on them. He and his wife Sharmell went to TNA. And for that, a long with the signing of Kurt Angle, who had been granted his WWE release under the guise that he would be off fighting his demons, TNA earned some legitimate criticism that this was the company people would go to escape from drug testing.

In a shoot interview, Dixie claimed that she drug tests herself. Calls it a waste of $350, but she does it. Here's an idea: drug test your guys. Punish them if they fail. They could hurt somebody, for crying out loud. If Jeff Hardy was in no condition to perform last night, an audible should have been called and the main event should have been changed. Do a kayfabe attack backstage. Are the fans going to be upset? Sure, but those who are really in the know about Jeff Hardy and his personal demons are going to understand.

We fans are not monsters. And we fans who truly understand the wrestling business understand how important it is for companies like ROH and TNA to succeed. It makes every product better, it employs more people who want to live out their dreams, and it gives the fans some variety. But to succeed, it has to be good, and TNA has not been that for a long time.

Hogan and Bischoff are not fully to blame here, either. Right now, TNA has apparently sent Jeff Hardy home, and they now how to try and figure out some way to make the fans happy. Hardy has put them in a horrible position where they stand to lose a lot of money. Tapings are set to begin tonight; if they are really serious about curbing the damage they inflicted last night, they will either stick to their guns and let Jeff sit and simmer at home, or they will have him come back to Impact and apologize for the match that he had last night. Because we know it's not Sting's fault; Sting wrestled just fine on Thursday. All the buzz going around, again, is about Jeff, whose issues with demons have not been a secret for years.

It's time for TNA to start drawing a hard line with their employees. What happened last night was a travesty and it was an insult to every fan who bought the pay-per-view, who defends the product against its haters, and who supports the product, buying merchandise and attending house shows. For a while now, people have been comparing this company to WCW, and some are just waiting for it to go under. I'm not one of them, but this entire situation is ridiculous. I see a lot of parallels with the Hardy situation to WCW's treatment of Scott Hall, and it's not pretty. Jeff is only 33 years old, a father, and now a husband. It's time for him to start getting things under control as well, before no wrestling promotion wants to touch him.

Hogan Comments on Hardy Drama

2005 WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan responded to a fan on Twitter who suggested that TNA may get rid of Jeff Hardy in light of what happened last night. It is important to note that this is not the first time that Hardy's "mental conditioning" has come into play and created concern in the TNA locker room. You can follow the Hulkster on Twitter at HulkHogan4Real.

Hogan responded to to the fan's question by stating,

"Brother, we're trying to get everything sorted out.

I feel bad about some of the situations that have to be

(dealt) with."

While I'm surprised to see Hogan outright address the problem, I also understand that TNA is on heavy-duty damage control right now over the 90 second main event pay-per-view match pertaining to Hardy and Sting last night. Dixie and Bischoff have found themselves flooded with negative feedback as a result, with many fans demanding a refund.

Hardy Sent Home

Jason Powell of ProWrestling.net and Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com are reporting that TNA Management has sent Jeff Hardy home from the TNA tapings after that horrendous main event at Victory Road last night. Insiders are apparently describing Jeff's state of mind as a "mess." He is due to appear back in court next Monday stemming from his 2009 arrest for drugs.

Hardy is still advertised for the show at this point, but let's keep our fingers crossed that Dixie Carter sticks to her guns this time.

TNA Locker Room In Uproar!

The following excerpt is taken from WrestleZone.com:

"WrestleZone.com has spoken with several key insiders and several wrestlers in TNA, and the consensus opinion is that something has to be done regarding tonight's Victory Road pay-per-view debacle.

"This is the type of controversy that kills a promotion," one very concerned wrestler told us tonight. "What happens when Spike TV executives Doug Herzog, Kevin Kay and Brian Diamond watch this, and try to justify this to sponsors and advertisers? It's embarrassing, and it's terrible to go off the air with the fans chanting 'Bullshit' when the company knew that they had a problem to deal with.'

"Why wasn't he replaced?' asked another wrestler. 'Why couldn't we have just handled it professionally, instead of risking everyone else's well-being, including Sting's and the fans, by putting someone who was not fit to wrestle out in the ring?' Even a key insider who is usually known as a Hardy defender told us, 'Jeff should not have been cleared to wrestle in that main event tonight.'

"While no one could pinpoint what exactly Hardy's problem was, it is clear that Dixie Carter has a dressing room filled with concerned and angry talent at the moment. While Ric Flair's presence is 'amusing' (as one wrestler put it), the precedent is being set for wrestlers to act in any way that they want, and there is a sense of anarchy in the TNA locker room right now.

"Bischoff doesn't have any authority. The agents don't lay down the law,' one very prominent TNA wrestler told us. 'No one learned from WCW what happens when the inmates run the asylum!'"

Update on Tonight's Diasaster

WrestleZone.com is reporting that there are several different details floating around regarding tonight's insulting and befuddling main event match between Sting and Jeff Hardy at Victory Road 2011.

Apparently, throughout the day, there has been concern about Jeff Hardy's "condition", which doesn't help fan speculation that Hardy may have been under the influence of something when he arrived. Also, it is important to add that Sting's age and his current health status was not an issue in determining the finish of the match. Apparently, nobody was told that this would be a ninety second main event, so this may have come to a surprise to everyone else as well.

Nobody is quite sure right now if Bischoff called an audible or if Sting just "hooked the finish". Either way, backstage at TNA right now, I'm sure it is a very explosive situation. Dixie and Bischoff are being bombarded on Twitter by angry fans who would love to get a refund for what they just had to endure. Can't say that I blame them.

If You're Not Serious, Pull The Plug!

Could you imagine a WWE pay-per-view main event that goes for all of 90 seconds? The answer is no, right? You know why? Because Vince McMahon understands that the fans would freaking riot!

Dixie Carter, this woman here to my left, and the "brain-trust" she has helping her helm this godforsaken company, gave us exactly that tonight when Sting defeated Jeff Hardy in 90 seconds to retain the TNA Championship. 90 seconds!

People can tell me that Sting was injured, or that Hardy was in no condition to compete, but seriously? When is enough enough? When do we start drawing a line at what we will allow this company to do to us while we are wasting our time on them?

I 'm sure Dixie Carter-Salinas is a nice woman. She seems that way. TNA commentators tell us she's no tyrant; she's just a mother of two from Texas. I want to like Dixie Carter. The feminist in me is enthralled to see a female running a wrestling corporation. But, let's be honest -- among the words floating around about Miss Carter, the words "mark", "airhead" and "idiot" keep coming back into the vernacular by those in the wrestling community.

I started watching TNA in 2004. AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe captured my imagination and my curiosity as they were doing things I was not seeing on WWE television at the time. The first time I saw the Styles Clash, I just about died. Fast forward seven years later, and we have the same guys behind the failure of WCW at the helm of this company that once seemed so promising. Now it's like that trainwreck you never want to avert your eyes from.

Tonight was insulting. Lamely booked finishes, double countouts, spray blood and a 90 second main event. Does anybody want to venture a guess as to why TNA can't crack a 2 in the ratings? Why people consider them so second rate that they will never be on tier with WWE? It's because of stupid stuff like this! It's because of their stupid storylines where we see guys running around with nailed two by fours and magical rings. It's because we see children thrown into a storyline that have no place being in the storyline. It's because since we've seen Hogan and Bischoff enter, it feels like the in-ring product and everything has just suffered. I don't want to blame Hogan and Bischoff for all of TNA's problems, but for the most part, their reputation speaks for itself.

Dixie Carter, if you are not serious about making this the great product that I know it can be, pull the plug and walk away. Sure, it may be the hardest decision ever to be made, but seriously? Either the company's going to lose enough money to make the people at Panda Energy look at the books (TNA is a privately traded company, therefore their losses and gains are not public knowledge), or the fan base is going to get sick of being insulted on a weekly basis and just stop tuning in. One or the other. The growing pains excuse is not going to work anymore; TNA has been in business for nine years now. It's time to pull Hogan and Eric into a room and start asking them to show you the results they promised you they would give you. It's time to make them deliver on the exposure they promised they would give you.

The "brain-trust" at TNA can claim to have a huge appreciation for the fans, but quite frankly, if horrible storylines, lousy Impacts and godawful pay-per-views are what you're showing us for our viewership, then stop. Just cut all the losses and walk. Because this is not fair to the fans that pay their money for your pay-per-views. This is not fair to the fans that pay their money to come see the shows (like my boyfriend), and it's certainly not fair to the wrestling journalists out there who have to cover this garbage. Shape up!

Sources report that when fans realized that there would be no restart to the main event, they began to chant "This is bullshit". According to reports at WrestleZone.com, Sting was at the top of the ramp, mouthing, "I agree." Claims are coming out that Jeff Hardy was in no shape to perform. Jeff Hardy's problems are no secret to the wrestling community, most of whom are stunned that Dixie -- yes the woman pictured up there -- put the title on Jeff not once, but twice knowing full well that he is facing a potential jail term from a drug bust in September 2009. If Sting is not well, and Jeff is no shape to perform, then they should have never been in the main event in the first place! For crying out loud, I get promising what has been advertised, but there should be a limit if all that's going to happen is that the fans are going to get insulted in the end.

Time to do some real serious thinking, Dixie. Because I'm going to bet that the pay-per-view buyrates for next month are going to be real low unless you start pulling rabbits out of your hat. And do us a favor, as your devoted fans...make it good.

False!

Rumors started circulating that Jeff Hardy was arrested after Victory Road 2011 for drug possession. Jeff is currently awaiting his next court date stemming from drug charges after his home was raided in September of 2009.

The reports that were circulating around the internet was that Jeff was arrested after the pay-per-view for violating his probation terms. Word is also spreading that he appeared at the show tonight in no condition to perform, which is why his match with Sting was so short. At the moment, none of this can be confirmed, but in the coming days, I'm sure more and more information will come out.

PWRShow.com has been able to confirm that the reports circulating about Jeff's apparent legal troubles tonight is indeed false. He is currently a trending topic on Twitter, where one claims he is still in Orlando at the studio and has not yet left.

Unfortunately, news like this seems to go hand-in-hand with Jeff, who's alleged substance abuse issues have been plaguing him since the first time he left the WWE. PWRShow.com also claims that they have some information about the circumstances of the Sting-Hardy joke of a main event tonight, and that they will be releasing the information sooner or later.

Victory Road 2011: Mr. Anderson vs. RVD

Next up is the number one contender's match for the TNA World Championship, pitting former champions Rob Van Dam against Mr. Ken Anderson.

This match started off shaky, but did seem to pick up a little bit of momentum. Anderson had a sense of humor early on in the match when the fans called out a botched leapfrog.

Unfortunately, the finish for this match was weak. It was a double-countout at 12:45. I hate weak finishes on pay-per-view when the fans have to pay for them. Unfortunately, TNA is great at this.

*There is no sense in creating another blog for the main event. Sting defeated Jeff Hardy in about 90 seconds to retain the championship.

Victory Road 2011: Matt Hardy vs. AJ Styles

Up next, we have AJ Styles vs. Matt Hardy, who was accompanied by Ric Flair to the ring.

Quite frankly, I'm stunned at the way Matt Hardy has been treated since coming to TNA, and this is coming from someone who wishes he would just disappear and go away. When Matt left WWE, he was something of an important free agent, albeit a loose cannon with a YouTube video blogging fetish. It was assumed he would go to TNA with Jeff there, but since Matt has shown up, he's become just another regular guy, much like Mickie James became just another Knockout. Unfortunately for Matt tonight, the match highlights belong to the "Phenomenal" AJ Styles, the man who is arguably the face of TNA.

Styles pulled out a lot of his great arsenal tonight, including the Spinal Tap, a move that he does not use very often. AJ Styles defeated Matt Hardy at 16:35.

Victory Road 2011: Beer Money vs. Ink Inc.

Up next was the Tag Team Championship match that pitted Beer Money against Ink Inc.

There was a cool double team roll up further into the match done by Beer Money. Shannon Moore clearly had some female followers in the crowd, while Beer Money appeared to have a great male following.

The problem with this match is I don't think anybody truly expected Ink Inc. to win. Unfortunately, the build to this was a bit weak, what with Hulk Hogan's return, the court case verdict and the Jarrett-Angle Saga. Anyway, at 14:25 into the match, Beer Money defeated Ink Inc to retain the TNA Tag Team Championship.

First Blood Match

The next matchup is the First Blood match between Hernandez and Matt Morgan.

This match has one of the lamest finishes I've ever seen in a pro wrestling match. Sigh. Anyways, this match was a brawl, utilizing fists, kendo sticks and chains. A fan made his way into the ring; however, the referee seemed to take him down.

The big, lame finish for the match came when Hernandez sprayed fake blood -- yes, you are reading this correctly -- onto the chest of Matt Morgan. TNA's most incompetent referee Jackson James spotted this and called for the bell. Hernandez won by complete stupidity at 8:35

TNA Knockouts Tag Championship

The next matchup on the Victory Road card is for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship, seeing champions Angelina Love and Winter against Sarita and Rosita.

Not a whole hell of a lot to this match, unfortunately. Late in the match, Velvet Sky ran out to help Winter and Angelina when Rosita tried to hit Winter from behind with a belt. Winter then rolled up Rosita, however, Sarita came in and pushed Winter so that Rosita was on top of the gothic Knockout. Earl Hebner counted the three. In 5:00, Sarita and Rosita defeated Angelina Love and Winter to win the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship. Afterwards, Winter and Angelina seemingly blamed the loss on Velvet's attempt to help, just leaving her in the ring trying to defend herself.

Victory Road: Bully Ray vs. Tommy Dreamer

The opening match for tonight's Victory Road pay-per-view is Bully Ray vs. Tommy Dreamer in a no holds barred, falls count anywhere match-up.

Bully hit the ring first and cut a promo. When Dreamer came to the ring, he asked Tommy what his thoughts were about the match, and Dreamer responded by punching Bully to start the match.

Weapons were used, some of them lame, but they took the fight into the crowd, no doubt delighting a bunch of diehard TNA fanatics who love having the action brought to them. Unfortunately, after some hard-hitting weapons like your standard fare cookie sheets and so forth, Dreamer reached under the ring and produced a blow-up doll. Yes, "funny positions" and other "hijinx" would soon ensue. Dreamer got a near-fall off of a DDT.

Bully Ray then got the upper-hand on Tommy and taunted Brother Devon. Devon's music played, and Devon's sons came out, one of them wearing a neckbrace to sell Bully's recent attack on him. While distracted, Devon entered the ring. When Bully turned around, Devon and Dreamer hit the 3D through a table on Bully Ray. Tommy Dreamer won the battle in 10:40.

Victory Road Tonight!

Tonight is the TNA PPV Victory Road. So, here is a rundown of the matches tonight.

In the main event, we have new TNA Champion Sting taking on Jeff Hardy in a rematch for the TNA title. With Jeff Hardy's next court appearance coming quickly, I can't see TNA sticking the belt back on him. But what do I know? TNA never ceases to surprise me when it comes to Jeff.

In a First Blood Match, "The Blueprint" Matt Morgan is taking on "Super Mex" Hernandez. Unfortunately, they let this slip through on Impact, so neither guy got to make any last minute build up for it.

In a number one contender's match, Mr. Anderson will be facing Rob Van Dam.

One on one, AJ Styles is taking on Matt Hardy.

In an Ultimate X match for the X-Division Championship, we have Frankie Kazarian vs. Jeremy Buck vs. Max Buck vs. Robbie E tangling up. This could be a great match.

For the TNA Tag Championship, Beer Money will be taking on Ink Inc.

In a one on one match, Bully Ray will be taking on Tommy Dreamer, which is reported to be the opening match tonight.

And for the TNA Knockouts Tag Championship, Champions Angelina Love and Winter will be taking on Sarita and Rosita.

Surprisingly, not listed is anything between Samoa Joe and D'Angelo Dinero, Kurt Angle -- who is the poster boy for this pay-per-view, The Jarretts or Madison Rayne. This could change, or just be unadvertised "surprises", but it's still surprising.