Various: Impact Wrestling, Jim Ross AXS TV Status, Lita & Trish RAW Ann.

Impact Wrestling News & Notes

Impact Wrestling is currently working on talent exchange deals with both Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling, according to the Wrestling Observer. The Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported Impact hopes the deals will be beneficial to all three companies involved although at the moment, NJPW is currently not interested in working with Impact.

Dave Meltzer also reported it is currently expected Bruce Prichard will not be brought back to Impact Wrestling due to the recent hiring of Don Callis and storyline plans involving Prichard likely being dropped. The original plan during the previous Jeff Jarrett era was for Prichard to make his eventual television return as a heel manager. The lingering bad blood between Callis and Prichard going back to their days together in the WWE was reported to be a possible key reason for this decision.

Impact Wrestling’s parent company, Anthem Sports & Entertainment, is reported to have instructed Impact’s boss Ed Nordholm to get the company into a break-even position as soon as possible due to Anthem’s own current financial problems. The Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported plans for more house show tours appear to have been dropped and more higher paid talent are expected to be released soon to help reach this goal.

Jim Ross Close to a Contract Extension with AXS TV

Jim Ross is reported to have verbally agreed to a new contract extension with AXS TV, according to this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter. At the moment, the actual contract is still being worked on but Ross is expected to sign once it is finalized. In regards to the WWE, the company did not get involved in the talks between the two sides and his current WWE deal allows him to work on non-WWE wrestling televised shows. Ross has done no commentary work for the WWE since the Finals of the Mae Young Classic and plans for a weekly United Kingdom show were delayed.

WWE Did You Know – Lita and Trish Stratus RAW Anniversary

In a “WWE Did You Know” type fact, this past Wednesday was the thirteen anniversary of Lita and Trish Stratus becoming the first women in WWE history to main event an episode of RAW. The main event of the night was a Women’s Championship match between Lita and champion Trish Stratus resulting in Lita becoming the new Women’s champion.