Tag: tna hall of fame

TNA Bound for Glory notes: Hall of Fame, Xia Brookside, Chris Bey, record attendance

Posted on by Josh Nason

Here’s a few news items from TNA’s Bound for Glory on Sunday:

Chris Bey made a special appearance to announce an attendance of 7,794 which TNA said is their North American record.

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As is tradition, TNA held its annual Hall of Fame ceremony prior to Bound for Glory which featured several familiar faces appear on camera.

For Mickie James’ induction, husband and current WWE SmackDown GM Nick Aldis appeared on camera as did current NXT star Jordynne Grace whom James notably feuded with near the end of her TNA run. Former WWE & TNA wrestler Victoria/Tara also appeared to give James the original Knockouts title belt. For the Beautiful People’s induction, Awesome Kong made a video appearance.

Former TNA star and fellow Hall of Famer Traci Brooks was the host for the ceremony.

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It was announced during the broadcast that Xia Brookside had to miss the Call Your Shot gauntlet match due to an illness. No other details were given. Her tag team partner Lei Ying Lee did compete in the match.

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In a bit of a surprise, NXT’s Kelani Jordan retained the TNA Knockouts title by defeating Indi Hartwell. Jordan won the title at September’s Victory Road by defeating the aforementioned Lee for the title vacated by Ash by Elegance. As noted on commentary, Hartwell’s family was in attendance after a four-flight journey to be there.

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Spike Dudley walked out with Team 3D for their final match with The Hardys for the NXT & TNA Tag Team titles.

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There will be an “After The Glory” special following this Thursday’s TNA Impact which is a show already taped.

Tommy Dreamer reveals who will induct The Beautiful People into TNA Hall of Fame

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Beautiful People’s inductor has been revealed.

In an interview with Gabby LaSpisa, Tommy Dreamer revealed that he would be the one inducting Angelina Love and Velvet Sky this weekend at Bound for Glory in Lowell, MA.

“They asked me. It was a big honor, so there you go,” Dreamer said.

It was also announced LaSpisa would be the host of the ceremony, which will be held prior to Bound for Glory. Earlier on Monday it was revealed that Tara, aka Victoria in WWE, would be inducting Mickie James.

The Beautiful People were a major part of the Knockouts division in TNA throughout the 2010s, mainly consisting of Love and Sky but also featured Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich at one point. Together, Love & Sky held the Knockouts Tag Team titles twice, while Love held the Knockouts title 4 times.

Here’s a look at every TNA Hall of Fame inductee since the honor was established in 2012:

  • 2012: Sting
  • 2013: Kurt Angle
  • 2014: Team 3D (Bully Ray & D-Von)
  • 2015: Jeff Jarrett, Earl Hebner
  • 2016: Gail Kim
  • 2018: Abyss
  • 2020: Ken Shamrock
  • 2021: Awesome Kong
  • 2022: Raven
  • 2023: Mike Tenay & Don West, Traci Brooks
  • 2024: Rhino, Bob Ryder
  • 2025: Mickie James, The Beautiful People (Angelina Love & Velvet Sky)

Mickie James reveals who will induct her into TNA Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A former WWE and TNA women’s champion will be inducting Mickie James into the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame this weekend.

This Sunday (October 12), James will be honored with a TNA Hall of Fame induction at Bound for Glory 2025. We now know that Lisa Marie Varon — formerly known as Victoria in WWE and Tara in TNA — will be the person inducting her.

“Someone who was pretty synonymous with the whole introduction of Hardcore Country. And I think that we made som incredible, historic moments together — and that would be our dear friend, Lisa Marie,” James announced in an interview with SoCal Val.

James said she personally chose Varon to do the induction speech. She didn’t know if Varon’s WWE legends contract would cause any issues, but the request was quickly approved by TNA, which has a close working relationship with WWE.

Along with being past colleagues and in-ring rivals, James and Varon are good friends and used to host a podcast called GAW TV together.

The Knockouts division will be the focus of this year’s TNA Hall of Fame class with The Beautiful People (Angelina Love & Velvet Sky) also being inducted.

Bound for Glory is being held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts on Sunday. Trick Williams vs. Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship will headline the pay-per-view.

Here’s a look at every TNA Hall of Fame inductee since the honor was established:

  • 2012: Sting
  • 2013: Kurt Angle
  • 2014: Team 3D (Bully Ray & D-Von)
  • 2015: Jeff Jarrett, Earl Hebner
  • 2016: Gail Kim
  • 2018: Abyss
  • 2020: Ken Shamrock
  • 2021: Awesome Kong
  • 2022: Raven
  • 2023: Mike Tenay & Don West, Traci Brooks
  • 2024: Rhino, Bob Ryder
  • 2025: Mickie James, The Beautiful People (Angelina Love & Velvet Sky)

TNA announces Knockouts duo for 2025 Hall of Fame class

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two more Knockouts division legends have been confirmed for the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame class of 2025.

It was announced today that The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky & Angelina Love) will be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame at Bound for Glory on Sunday, October 12. They join Mickie James as members of the 2025 class.

The announcement was made in a video where TNA President Carlos Silva surprised Sky & Love with news of their induction. Silva thanked Sky & Love for all they’ve contributed to the promotion.

“We’re excited that this will preserve and promote your legacy forever,” Silva said.

“Thank you so much,” an emotional Sky responded. “That means everything.”

Love & Sky were both multi-time Knockouts World Champions for TNA. They told Silva that the induction means the world to them, and they believe the Knockouts division holds a significant place in wrestling history as the place where the women’s revolution really started.

“Angelina Love and Velvet Sky were the original members of The Beautiful People, characters inspired by Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie,” TNA wrote. “The arrogant blondes had one goal: to cleanse the TNA roster ‘one ugly person at a time.'”

Bound for Glory 2025 is being held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. Trick Williams vs. Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship will headline the PPV, which is also set to feature a Tag Team title bout between The Hardys and Dudleys. It’s the final time those two legendary teams will ever face each other.

Here’s a look at every TNA Hall of Fame inductee since the honor was established:

  • 2012: Sting
  • 2013: Kurt Angle
  • 2014: Team 3D (Bully Ray & D-Von)
  • 2015: Jeff Jarrett, Earl Hebner
  • 2016: Gail Kim
  • 2018: Abyss
  • 2020: Ken Shamrock
  • 2021: Awesome Kong
  • 2022: Raven
  • 2023: Mike Tenay & Don West, Traci Brooks
  • 2024: Rhino, Bob Ryder
  • 2025: Mickie James, The Beautiful People (Angelina Love & Velvet Sky)

TNA announces first 2025 Hall of Fame inductee

Posted on by Joseph Currier

TNA Wrestling is set to honor Mickie James at Bound for Glory 2025.

The promotion announced today that James will be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame at Bound for Glory on Sunday, October 12. The pay-per-view — which is traditionally TNA’s biggest event of the year — is being held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.

In their announcement, TNA praised James as “one of the most accomplished, decorated wrestlers of all time.” She is a five-time Knockouts Champion for TNA, along with having several title reigns from her WWE career.

“The surprise announcement was made today during a live episode of Notsam Wrestling Live! on SiriusXM. While James was being interviewed by hosts Roberts and Tommy Dreamer, TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva made an appearance and shocked James with the Hall of Fame announcement,” TNA wrote.

“James is the first announced member of the class of 2025 for the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame, which was established in 2012 and has honored 12 individuals and two groups (4 members): 16 total inductees. James is the fourth-ever Knockout inducted into the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame, joining Gail Kim, Awesome Kong and Traci Brooks.”

James last wrestled for TNA in 2023 and still occasionally competes on the indies.

She posted a tweet reacting to today’s announcement:

Bound for Glory will be headlined by Mike Santana challenging for the TNA World Championship (currently held by Trick Williams). The card is also set to feature one last match between TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys and their iconic rivals The Dudleys.

Here’s a list of every inductee since the TNA Hall of Fame was established:

  • 2012: Sting
  • 2013: Kurt Angle
  • 2014: Team 3D (Bully Ray & D-Von)
  • 2015: Jeff Jarrett, Earl Hebner
  • 2016: Gail Kim
  • 2018: Abyss
  • 2020: Ken Shamrock
  • 2021: Awesome Kong
  • 2022: Raven
  • 2023: Mike Tenay & Don West, Traci Brooks
  • 2024: Rhino, Bob Ryder
  • 2025: Mickie James

AJ Styles says he doesn’t want to be in any Hall of Fame while still active

Posted on by Bryan Rose

AJ Styles doesn’t want to be in any Hall of Fame until he’s no longer active.

On social media Monday night, Styles wrote that he, and not WWE, was responsible for turning down an offer to be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame, writing that he doesn’t want to be part of any Hall of Fame as long as he’s active in the ring.

“I’m still an active wrestler…I hope,” he wrote. “I made the decision not to go into the TNA HOF, not WWE. I appreciate TNA, but I don’t want to go into any HOF as long as I’m still active. My choice.”

According to a report from Fightful Select, TNA was said to have approached WWE about inducting Styles into their Hall of Fame, with WWE ultimately passing on the idea. Although specific reasons weren’t given, some within TNA believed that it was due to Styles’ current injury or storyline plans. The company instead inducted Rhino and longtime employee Bob Ryder this past weekend prior to Bound for Glory.

After some time away from TV, Styles briefly returned to action earlier this month on SmackDown but suffered a foot injury while wrestling Carmelo Hayes.

Rhino, Bob Ryder to be inducted into TNA Hall of Fame

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two new inductees will be enshrined into the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame over Bound for Glory weekend.

In his hometown of Detroit, Rhino will be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame at Bound for Glory 2024. The late Bob Ryder — who was one of the co-founders of TNA — is also being inducted. Their inductions will take place during the Bound for Glory pre-show on Saturday, October 26.

The 49-year-old Rhino, a former star for ECW and WWE, has spent multiple stints in TNA/Impact and still competes for the promotion to this day. He held the NWA World Championship in 2005 while with the promotion and is a former Impact Tag Team Champion.

Ryder co-founded TNA with Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett and remained with the promotion working behind the scenes until his death in 2020. TNA wrestler Eric Young will accept Ryder’s induction on behalf of his late friend.

Before helping start TNA, Ryder was a wrestling journalist and worked for WCW. Director of Travel Operations was among the job titles he held in TNA.

Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit is hosting Bound for Glory on October 26. TNA is also holding a post-PPV television taping there the next day.

The TNA Hall of Fame was first introduced in 2012. Here’s the complete list of inductees:

  • 2012: Sting
  • 2013: Kurt Angle
  • 2014: Team 3D (Bully Ray & D-Von)
  • 2015: Jeff Jarrett, Earl Hebner
  • 2016: Gail Kim
  • 2018: Abyss
  • 2020: Ken Shamrock
  • 2021: Awesome Kong
  • 2022: Raven
  • 2023: Mike Tenay & Don West, Traci Brooks
  • 2024: Rhino, Bob Ryder