Mickie James new pics with the TNA Knockouts Title

Mickie James and the TNA Knockouts Title

TNA's Nick 'Magnus' Aldis interview

TNA wrestler films TV show in Belfast

Nick Aldis may be best know as Magnus to viewers of TNA Wrestling programming, however there is an awful lot more to him that simply being a professional wrestler. I caught up with Nick in Belfast as he filmed for Challenge TV (also home to TNA here in the UK) show UK''s Strongest Man. Series. Aldis and co-host Matt Bell were on hand to film links for the series, interview some of the competitors and much more over this August Bank Holiday Weekend event. Here are highlights from that chat.

Phil: Hi Nick first up let's chat about you presenting this show. How are you enjoying that experience?

Nick: Well Phil this is my second year now. So being asked back must mean I am doing OK (laughs). Honestly this is a great job, we have a small team really, our Producer, Matt and myself. I think it helps that Matt and I get on so well too. That gives us a rapport and something that comes across on screen.

Phil: Is presenting something you feel you would like to do more of?

Nick: Yes it is. I love getting to help produce our pieces (with the guys) and I am learning so much about the behind the scenes work that you need to know. After all I came from working holiday camps and Gladiators to wrestling in the US for TNA and now this. I'm always learning I guess and picking stuff up. If there are opportunities to do more jobs like this I am happy to do them.

Phil: Would you say that presenting something like UK's Strongest Man has helped you with your in-ring promos?

Nick: Yes and no. I have always had good responses to my promos and got praise from the guys in the back. It maybe has made me look at things in more detail perhaps and of course I have a lot more knowledge of what they are doing back there now as well.

Phil: May we ask you about life in TNA. For example how do you feel about the recent spate of roster cuts?

Nick: I love being a part of TNA and think a lot of times when there is bad publicity it is taken out of context or only partially explained (to suit others means). For example recently Jesse Sorenson (former TNA wrestler) made some comment about how the company treated him, but the truth is he was treated very well, they took care of insurance and even paid for bills. It was blown out of proportion.

Phil: Many say the cuts have been due to added costs created by taking the company on the road each week?

Nick: Well yes there are indeed costs in taking us on the road and that will have an affect on us as a roster. Honestly the way I see it is that we have only one two hour TV show and we all cannot be given time on it. I think what has happened has been necessary for the product and us a company. I mean how can you build up a storyline or character if you are barely getting any TV time. That also means many of the guys were getting basic wages. I'd call it streamlining and something that will help us.

Phil: The UK market has grown very steadily in recent years and Impact has become on of its top shows. How important is the UK to TNA?

Nick: It is very important to us and I would love to see us back here more often. I know the company have a lot of ideas for the UK/Irish fans as well. We always get a great response there. The UK Boot Camp series also highlighted some of the talented wrestlers we have here and we know there are a lot more. I think it helps UK wrestlers to see guys like myself, Robbie T, Doug (Williams) etc. on TV and makes them want to break the US too. Challenge TV have really embraced us and I guess you could say I am the UK face for us right now too.

Phil: You mentioned Boot Camp there, I feel that concept worked very well. You were involved in that were you not?

Nick: I worked as colour commentator on that and boy do I now have (even) more respect for guys like JB (Jeremy Borash) too. You really have to think on your feet and not panic. I liked doing that and hope to maybe do some more. The competitors really worked hard throughout as well. There are a lot of UK/Irish wrestlers who have real potential to be big stars.

Phil: You have already done so much in TNA. But how does it feel to be in the new Main Event Mafia line-up?

Nick: It is a real honour to be involved and what I must say it that guys like Sting and Kurt Angle have always been two of the main guys who have been pushing for me backstage too. They have done that genuinely and really helped me move along. To share the ring with them is amazing.

Phil: In relation to Kurt I for one thought it was a nice touch that (TNA President) Dixie Carter mentioned his entering rehab and his absence from storylines. Do you feel the same?

Nick: To be honest I can see the reasoning, but maybe would not have done it in the ring like that. I think it was really for Kurt's benefit to let him see how much support he has from the fans and us all on the roster.

Phil: Thanks so much for your time Nick I'll hopefully see you on the January 2014 UK/Irish tour.

Nick: Thanks Phil. I'll see you there.

Nick and his co-host Matt were recording their UK's Strongest Man show live from Belfast. This will be shown on Challenge TV very soon. In the meantime you can watch Nick (as Magnus) each week on the channel's Impact Wrestling show.

Ultimate (UK's) Strongest Man has been running for ten years now and was created by Northern Irish strongman Glenn Ross. Ross has won the event many times and represented Ireland and the UK at many others across the globe as well. Ross has also competed at the World's Strongest Man events and founded the UK Strength Council and Irish Strength Association. As well as organising the UK's Strongest Man events Ross also acts as a referee when needed.

Phil caught up with Glenn briefly, here are his responses.

'We have been doing this for ten years now and it has grown so much since then'.

'It is great to have Challenge recording this and supporting us too'.

'We started out on Channel 5 way back then and didn't know where we would end up. This is amazing to see'.

'This weekend we hope to see between 500-1000 people here outside the Odyssey Arena in Belfast'.

http://www.ultimatestrongestman.com

http://www.challenge.co.uk/

By Phil Allely

Mickie James to release new single - Somebody's Gonna Pay

AOL “The Boot” to debut Mickie James’ new video,

“Somebody’s Gonna Pay”

TNA Impact Wrestling star’s cameo-studded new video, showcases her take-no-prisoners new single.

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What should music fans expect when Mickie James’ new video, “Somebody’s Gonna Pay,” debuts at AOL music site The Boot? Let’s just say they’ll find the ending . . . smashing. The video will be available at www.TheBoot.com.

The music video, directed by Blake Judd and featuring Mickie's fellow wrestling personalities Trish Stratus and Nick Aldis(TNA Wrestling’s Magnus), is for the debut single from her upcoming self-titled album on eOne Music.

The single can currently be found at iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/somebodys-gonna-pay/id633499730?ls=1

“This is my first video, so it was wonderful to have so many of my friends join me in front of the camera,” said James. “And the fact that Trish and Nick took time out of their schedules to take part in it made it something very special.”

“I wanted to create a video that would really showcase this song for my fans – and Blake did a brilliant job helping me bring that to life,” James added.

“Mickie and I have connected with audiences all over the world with our performances in the wresting ring, so it was an honour to be able to connect with her once again for this music video,” said Stratus.

“I have no doubt Mickie's fans will feel the same passion and magnetic energy she delivers in this video that they have felt for years from her in-ring performances."

“I had a blast making the video for 'Somebody's Gonna Pay' - it has everything that Mickie brings to her music: passion, femininity and some serious attitude,” said Aldis.

“Get ready to be singing this song all day because it's seriously catchy!"

The Jamie Hartford-penned song – a hard-hitting country rocker - is now available at iTunes.

The album Somebody’s Gonna Pay is scheduled for release on May 7.

With the release of the single “Somebody’s Gonna Pay,” Mickie James is creating a new path for herself.

An entertainer and athlete since childhood, the TNA Impact Wrestling superstar - a multi-time world champion - has spent the last decade as part of some of the biggest pro wrestling organizations in the world. And now, she’s taking that same drive, desire and talent to the music world.

"There are ton of parallels as far as your confidence and your ability to be able to tell a story, both within wrestling and within music," said the performer.

"With wrestling, you're running on raw passion and adrenaline. With music, your emotions are more present and your heart goes more into it.

With her down-home charm and high-intensity performances, the Virginia native has connected with crowds all over the world, both through television/live events in the ring, and with recent performances opening for artists such as Gretchen Wilson, Randy Houser and Montgomery Gentry. Fans also saw Mickie, along with Kellie Pickler and “Cowboy” Kenny Bartram, in her labelmate Bucky Covington/Shooter Jennings’ video “Drinking Side of Country.”

Follow Mickie James on Twitter, Facebook and at www.MickieJames.com

By Phil Allely

Scott Future aims for a TNA role

Is UK’s Scott the ‘Future of TNA?


By Phil Allely

A number of the UK’s finest wrestling talent will be on hand on January 29th at Wembley Arena for TNA’s first UK Gut Check clinic. Where TNA founder Jeff Jarrett and road agent D-Lo Brown will put aspiring star through their paces to see if they have what it takes to become a member of their roster.

One such potential star hoping to join fellow UK stars Magnus, Rob Terry and Douglas Williams is 13 year veteran Scott Future. Future started his career in 1998, participating in a Royal Rumble in Folkstone, Kent and hasn’t looked back since. Future was trained by the legendary Andre Baker at Hammerlock Wrestling in 1997. Has trained in the Hart family Dungeon and been a part of short US tours and many UK/European ones.

“There are ups and downs when you are on the road in the UK. There is a great team spirit amongst wrestlers that are on the road though, and we all have something in common that often no one else can understand, but equally it's tough because you are away from your family missing birthdays and driving hundreds of miles. It's all worthwhile once you step in the ring and the crowd responds.”

Scott has already had a little bite at the big time apple, having had a WWE try out during a recent tour, his dreams didn’t materialise then, but now he hopes that this opportunity to impress TNA’s movers and shakers may lead to his break. As the eager young star in waiting explains he really has worked hard to get this shot at TNA stardom. Having been fortunate enough to work with people like Sonny Oono, Jimmy Hart and former WWE star Chris Nowinski along the way, all of which have helped the young man build on his persona and in-ring skills.

“It (the WWE try out) was by far one of the best experiences I have had. I stood in the ring and gave a promo and Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat nodded his head in approval. He even fed me some lines to say as I made my speech on the WWE RAW microphone, underneath the steel cage. To have someone like Ricky Steamboat get something from one of my promo's meant the world. We only had something like 90 seconds to talk, and when my time was up and someone told me to stop, referee Jack Doan said "That’s too bad I was interested to see where that was going".

“Kurt Angle (who is a part of the current TNA tour) oversaw proceedings and to be in the presence of an Olympic Gold Medalist and a pro wrestling legend was like a dream come true. I got to show a little of what I've got and was happy with my performance but I wasn’t given any promises. Since then I have continued to train hard, and following the try out and the positive feedback I got, I have worked on my physique and tried to improve my technique so that when the next opportunity comes knocking, it’s not wasted. I'm now bigger and faster than I was then.”

“For me this is the next opportunity and the most important. When you talk about TNA, you talk about wrestlers who are passionate and love what they do. There is a hunger there. That fits with my mentality. What I need to do is show them why they need 'Scott Future' as opposed to anyone else out there. That's not easy, but I don't think anyone will give it a better shot than me. It means all the more because I only have a handful of wrestlers in my life that have inspired me and shaped the way I think about wrestling, and Jeff Jarrett is certainly one of those wrestlers.

“The dream is to stand out and finally show, on a large platform, what I can do. I have a good ring psychology that would translate well on television, and the dream is to showcase that. But the dream would be to learn from the best and to try to compete with the big boys and the legends. I have had so much encouragement from people who have ruled the industry, and I want to work hard and fulfil my dream of entertaining and wrestling full time.”

“I can’t really put that into words what a TNA contract would mean to me. The thought of it makes my chest flutter. I have been around for 13 years and 'paid my dues' but I am still young and I have time to make a real Impact at TNA. My outlook on the wrestling industry is still positive after all these years and I can’t think of anything I want more than to sign with one of the big companies.”

Scott will be giving his all on January 29th at Wembley Arena, and anyone interested in seeing his promos, photos and learning more about him can visit www.scottfuture.com

TNA’s Maximum Impact! tour starts on January 24th in Dublin, Ireland.

Ticket information and card line-ups are available from www.tnawrestling.com

Magnus Returns to TNA TV

Magnus (UK star Nick Aldis) made his return to TNA at last night's Xplosion tapings in Orlando in a match against Tommy Dreamer. As noted before, Magnus and Desmond Wolfe's tag team will be returning soon.

magnus has been off screen and ut of the ring for some months now (not long after I interviewed him and the team was heaidng for big things).